Schouwstra, A.A.E.
(2023)
Assessing the Intangible.
Master thesis, Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation.
Abstract
This thesis is aimed at a specific part of the asylum policy of the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service: the integral credibility assessment for convert and apostate asylum seekers. The research question is: what is the space for bias in the Dutch credibility assessment of converts and apostates? This question is answered through a policy document analysis, interviews and a media content analysis in the context of grounded theory. It turns out that there is a vast space for subjectivity in this assessment and there is a Western Protestant bias laced through the central concepts as well as the assessment itself. It is unclear how the IND aims to avoid bias and the external pressure the IND deals with seems to increase that risk even more. To change the credibility assessment, there is publicly advocated for these asylum seekers by NGOs and political parties. Most of the attention for this topic comes from Christian organizations and politicians and is also mostly aimed on Christian converts. The way there is dealt with the credibility assessment in policy as well as how there is dealt with these third parties by the Dutch state points to a risk of Christian privilege and a secular Christian hegemony. There is awareness and more expertise needed on policy bias as well as conversion and apostasy to be able to assess asylum seekers equally and correctly. The freedom of thought, conscience and religion need to be guaranteed for citizens and non-citizens alike.
| Type: |
Thesis
(Master)
|
| Supervisors (RUG): |
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| Degree programme: |
Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation |
| Academic year: |
2022-2023 |
| Date of delivery: |
30 Nov 2023 13:45 |
| Last modified: |
30 Nov 2023 13:45 |
| URI: |
https://rcs.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/782 |
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