THE HAGUE - The House of Representatives Committee for Kingdom Relations has raised several important questions to State Secretary Van Huffelen following their visit to Bonaire and Curaçao earlier this year. The committee seeks clarity on various subjects, including the state of preparation for the upcoming Kingdom Conference. They want to know if poverty reduction, healthcare, human rights, and education will be discussed during the conference and if it will be open to private stakeholders, civil society organizations, and knowledge institutions.
One of the inquiries concerns the implementation of the Ceder/Wuite motion, specifically addressing the necessary climate-adaptive measures for the BES islands. The committee is interested in learning about the progress made in this regard.
Additionally, the House requests information on the steps taken to enhance administrative capacity for implementing the Nature and Environmental Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands.
Regarding the issue of sargassum, the committee seeks clarification on the government's strategy, policies, and allocated resources to address this problem on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.
Furthermore, the House inquires whether the government plans to introduce additional measures in 2023 to combat poverty in the Caribbean Netherlands and, if so, what these measures entail.
The committee is also interested in understanding the implementation of housing policies on St. Eustatius and Saba. Specifically, they want to know if private entities are involved in constructing sustainable homes and providing training opportunities for the local population.
As for the Kingdom Conference, the House seeks updates on the preparations. They want to know the date and location of the conference and whether poverty reduction, healthcare, human rights, and education will be key themes. Moreover, the committee emphasizes the importance of the conference being inclusive and accessible to private stakeholders, social organizations, and knowledge institutions.
Another topic raised is the follow-up process for handling migrant flows in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. The House requests details on any agreements reached between the government and the countries involved.
Additionally, they anticipate the government's response to the Amnesty International report by 1 June.
The committee also inquires about the existence and content of Rules of Order for the Kingdom Council of Ministers, requesting that this information be shared with the House.
Furthermore, the House seeks updates on the implementation of the motion presented by Raak et al. regarding the interpretation of responsibilities for individual countries and the Kingdom as a whole.
Lastly, the House is interested in understanding the involvement of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom in the Commemoration Year of the Dutch Slavery Past.
These questions raised by the House of Representatives Committee for Kingdom Relations reflect their dedication to gathering essential information and ensuring transparency and progress in various aspects of the Kingdom's affairs. The committee eagerly awaits the government's responses to these inquiries, aiming to address crucial issues and contribute to effective decision-making processes.