WILLEMSTAD - Human Rights Defense Curaçao (HRDC) has learned that the Dutch House of Representatives has once again urged the Secretary of State for Kingdom Relations to involve civil society, particularly human rights organizations, in addressing refugee issues.
This comes in response to a renewed inquiry about the implementation of the Simons motion, advocating for a strategic and integral approach to this problem.
In 2022, in collaboration with Dutch sister organizations, HRDC already advocated for this cause. The recent initiative by Member of the Dutch House of Representatives Marieke Koekoek, who raised questions about the role of local NGOs, underscores the growing recognition of their significance.
Additionally, the new Dutch representative for Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten, Edson Hato, has expressed his commitment to exploring collaboration opportunities with civil society, with a focus on human rights, democracy, and good governance.
These developments are an encouraging signal for HRDC, looking forward to engaging in a dialogue on these crucial topics. The organization sees the increased attention as an opportunity to further strengthen the defense of human rights and democracy in 2024, together with partners.
With the commitment of the Dutch representative and the ongoing support of the Dutch House of Representatives, HRDC sees a valuable opportunity to expand collaboration in the field of human rights. The organization remains dedicated to promoting a strategic and integral approach to refugee issues and strengthening democracy in Curaçao and beyond.