The rule of law in the city in practice

The chair in Urban Dynamics of Rights and Justice focuses on how the democratic rule of law is experienced and put into practice in the city. Human rights are the starting point. Lettinga: ‘In theory, human rights are there for everyone, but in practice we see that certain groups have to work much harder to see their rights realised. Think of minorities fighting against discrimination or vulnerable groups who experience barriers in access to housing and shelters.’

Cooperation between residents, civil society organisations and the municipality

According to Lettinga, it is the city where abstract concepts such as ‘rule of law’ and ‘justice’ become visible in the interactions between residents, civil society organisations and municipal institutions. ‘In those everyday encounters, it becomes clear how legislation and government action play affect residents: which people fall through the cracks and which minorities are not heard. Neighbourhood initiatives, grassroots organisations and advocacy groups form an important link between residents and formal institutions and give meaning to law by providing assistance, mediating and taking action. At the same time, urban authorities, civil servants and professionals are experimenting with tailored solutions to help residents realise their right to care and shelter, and with neighbourhood justice to lower the threshold for going to court. In this way, the city becomes a laboratory for research into how the rule of law works and can be renewed from the bottom up.’

Connecting research, policy and practice

The chair will be combined with Lettinga’s role as Chief Science Officer at the City of Amsterdam. This enables her to build bridges between researchers, civil servants and organisations in the city. ‘I see this chair as an opportunity to connect knowledge development at the university with people who are working every day for the most vulnerable city residents. In doing so, I am building on my previous work and network as a researcher for human rights institutions.’

Public debate on strengthening the rule of law

Lettinga observes that the rule of law is internationally under pressure. This is why the chair is much needed at this moment. ‘In the Netherlands, numerous studies show that the rule of law does not always fulfil its promise to protect citizens’ fundamental rights. That undermines trust in government and therefore the effectiveness of its actions.’

Moreover, there is still limited knowledge about how human rights are expressed in cities. ‘By mapping out more clearly the local and societal practices of human rights protection, the chair will contribute to the public debate on strengthening and renewing democracy and the rule of law,’ Lettinga concludes.