WILLEMSTAD - During an event organized by Human Rights Defense Curaçao to mark the International Day of Democracy, departing Dutch ambassador to Venezuela, Robert Schuddeboom, delivered an urgent message emphasizing the need for immediate action to address both democracy and climate change. "We know what the problems are, and we know what needs to be done, but how do we take those steps?" Schuddeboom asked rhetorically.
Schuddeboom, who is stepping down after four years of service in Venezuela, stressed the importance of moving beyond analysis and taking real action. "Every day that we do nothing is a day that it becomes harder to fix things," he stated. He drew from his experiences in countries like Hong Kong and Russia, where governments have legally violated human rights. "Stalin executed millions of people, all according to the law. Legal systems can be abused, which makes it even harder to preserve democratic values."
He concluded his speech with a strong call for citizens to get involved and take action: "Democracy is never guaranteed, and its protection is becoming increasingly difficult. We must fight together, as the planet and our rights belong to all of us."
Schuddeboom’s departure from Venezuela comes amidst recent political tensions in the country, where opposition figure Edmundo González Urrutia was secretly sheltered at the Dutch embassy in Caracas for over a month. "Everyone wants the same thing, regardless of color or background. We all want to live in a world where our rights are respected," said Schuddeboom, who thanked the Venezuelan people for their resilience and optimism.