On February 7, 2025, members of the Stateless Rights Collective (SRC) had the opportunity to visit the ChristenUnie council of Utrecht—a meeting that turned out to be inspiring, insightful, and full of hope for the future. This was the first time we engaged in such a discussion, but it felt as if we had been doing this for years. The openness, willingness to listen, and genuine interest from the council members made the experience even more powerful.
A Meeting Filled with Inspiration & Opportunities
Walking into the large hall, witnessing political discussions not through a screen but in real life, was an incredible moment. What made it even more meaningful was the chance to directly engage with people who were eager to learn more about statelessness and explore ways to support our cause. One council member even expressed interest in connecting us with other municipalities—though no promises were made, the possibility itself is a step forward.
This visit confirmed something important: now is the time for SRC to make our voices heard! We are at a peak moment where people are starting to listen, and we must keep pushing forward.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
Our discussions revealed some important insights that we believe should guide our next steps:
- True Allies at the Local Level: The Utrecht ChristenUnie council members were not only interested but also knowledgeable, compassionate, and ready to act. This reinforced the idea that we don’t need to chase the “big fish” in politics; instead, building a network with local allies—the “small fish”—can be just as powerful in driving change.
- Shifting Focus to Local Politics: National politics can often feel stagnant and unresponsive, but local governments hold real power. By connecting with multiple municipalities, we can build a coalition that can influence national policies from the ground up. This aligns perfectly with our strategy to start engaging with the three largest municipalities.
- Shocking Realities & Raising Awareness: Despite having prior knowledge of statelessness, the council members were deeply shocked by the criminalization faced by stateless individuals. Learning about family locations, daily stamping requirements, restrictions on movement, and the risk of detention (as experienced by Monsur) made them realize the harsh realities of our situation.
- A Call to Action: Writing a Policy Paper: The council encouraged us to write a policy paper outlining the key issues and necessary changes. This document would be shared with local politicians, particularly in preparation for next year’s local elections. This advice aligns with the recommendations from our partners and provides a concrete next step for advocacy.
- Growing Recognition & Support: One council member expressed admiration for SRC’s collective strength, noting how important it is that we continue growing as a movement. She emphasized that seeing our faces and hearing our stories made a lasting impact—whenever she discusses statelessness in the future, she will now remember us.
She also praised our website for being clear and informative and was particularly interested in our Stateless Stories Café initiative. This strengthens our motivation to organize the next one in Groningen, in collaboration with Stichting INLIA, potentially within the city council building to reach more political figures.
Moving Forward
This meeting was more than just a discussion—it was a powerful step towards real change. It showed us that local politicians can and do listen, and they can play a crucial role in advocating for our rights. We will continue to build these connections, expand our network, and push for change from the local to the national level.
A special thank you to the ChristenUnie Utrecht council members for their time, openness, and commitment to learning. This is just the beginning—SRC will keep fighting, raising awareness, and making our voices impossible to ignore!
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