WILLEMSTAD - The new chairman of Human Rights Defense Curacao (HRDC) is Camillo Bakhuis. He succeeds Lucita Moenir Alam. Since its inception in 2019, she has made an invaluable contribution to the development and growth of HRDC, according to the organization, and has also worked towards an increasingly growing awareness of the importance of human rights on the island.
HRDC originated from a citizen initiative that advocates for human dignity and the protection of human rights in Curaçao.
Photo: (left) HRDC chairman Camillo Bakhuis, receiving congratulations from his predecessor, Lucita Moenir Alam.
During a farewell luncheon, she admitted in her speech that it has not always been easy: "A non-governmental organization like HRDC cannot always bring pleasant messages, but must also be able to point out when human rights are not being respected or insufficiently respected. According to her, as an independent NGO, if necessary, you must be critical."
Under her leadership, HRDC, as an independent organization, has made an important and inspiring contribution to strengthening civil society. Central to this was the theme of migration, particularly legal and humanitarian assistance to undocumented migrants, lobbying for a fair immigration policy, and for the inclusion of bona fide migrants in the labor market.
These activities remain of great importance, including the continuation of the annual celebration of the UN International Day of Democracy, which has already had three successful sessions. In addition, other urgent issues will receive more attention from HRDC in the coming period, such as climate change. After all, the right to a healthy and sustainable environment is also part of the domain of human rights.
Camillo Bakhuis, the new chairman, is honored to take over the baton. He brings expertise from the semi-public sector (BAB) and also from the private sector (MCB). In addition, Bakhuis has previously demonstrated his social commitment at Fundashon Korsou Transparente. Bakhuis will remain as chairman for a minimum of two years.