At the International Court of Justice in The Hague, a little justice was done, if not inside the courthouse, at least in front of it. The guards called the police about the suspicious man knitting and the spread-out crochet fence. Two police cars arrived, the officers politely asked questions, checked my documents, and had a look on the internet. I was ready to leave, but the policeman said: "Why do you want to go away? Knit! I have to check with my superiors."
After 20 minutes on the phone, explaining over and over again to someone on the other end what I was doing, he informed the guards and me that I was allowed to knit there and even to lay out the fence. He reminded me that the role of the police is also to protect citizens from the arbitrariness of the authorities.
Perhaps it is the longing for global human justice, even if not yet realized, that brings people there
All this happened after a moving meeting with Pakistani American families. They too are immigrants from a country that became a burden on the United States after it armed "anti-terrorist" groups and ended up arming religious fanatics of all kinds, who are dragging the country into a civil war – as if there’s any other kind of war.
And yet, it was important for them to come see and show their children the International Court of Justice, despite the fact that, as they said, "it has no teeth." Perhaps it is the longing for global human justice, even if not yet realized, that brings people there. The children were happy to take pictures and eat some ice cream in the meantime.
Comments