WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao's Ombudsman Keursly Concincion has expressed serious concern over the protection of children’s rights on the island. In his 2024 annual report, the Ombudsman highlights multiple incidents where children's safety was compromised or their rights were violated. While the institution has launched several investigations, the long-awaited appointment of a Children’s Ombudsman remains stalled due to political indecision.
Concincion emphasized that child protection on Curaçao requires greater attention and stronger legislation. “Many of the reported cases and signals involved limited access to basic necessities such as clean drinking water and food, as well as various forms of abuse of minors by adults,” the report stated.
Investigations into Safety and Oversight
In addition to specific investigations into serious incidents involving children—such as a student injured in a fall from a school’s second floor, the death of a child during a swimming activity, and injuries at a daycare center—the Ombudsman’s office also initiated two broader systemic investigations:
One on government oversight of daycare centers
Another on compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by local youth institutions
Both investigations are ongoing and will continue into 2025.
Concerns Over Access to Clean Water
On the policy front, the Ombudsman sent a letter to the Minister of Economic Development, warning against the disconnection of clean water to households with children. He referenced a ruling by the Court of Appeal in The Hague, which found that cutting off water access could violate a child’s right to healthy development. The Ombudsman argued that this ruling is applicable to Curaçao under the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Delay in Appointing a Children’s Ombudsman
Although the legal framework for a Children’s Ombudsman was established in 2020, the appointment process remains incomplete, hampering the institute’s ability to fully carry out its mandate.
“The fulfillment of this task was hindered by the absence of the necessary political and administrative decision-making,” the report stated.
The Ombudsman expressed hope that a deputy ombudsman will be appointed in 2025 to focus specifically on children’s rights.
The findings underscore growing concerns about the well-being of minors in Curaçao, and the urgent need for government action to ensure their safety, rights, and access to essential services.
