WILLEMSTAD - In the fight for human rights in Curaçao, Ieteke 'Inchi' Witteveen, co-founder and director of Human Rights Defense Curaçao (HRDC), has played a decisive role. After years of dedication, she has bid farewell to the organization. Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland (Refugee Work Netherlands) looked back with her on her work and its impact.
In January 2018, after a tragic accident where a boat with Venezuelan refugees crashed into the rocks, Witteveen decided to act. This incident marked a turning point and led to the establishment of HRDC. Witteveen, deeply moved by the lack of support for refugees on the island, saw the urgent need for an organization advocating for the most vulnerable.
Response
The establishment of HRDC was a response to the growing number of Venezuelan refugees arriving in Curaçao since 2015. The situation became more urgent after UNHCR was forced to leave in 2017. HRDC aimed to fill this gap by advocating for the rights of refugees and migrants, in collaboration with VluchtelingenWerk and UNHCR.
Over the years, HRDC has made significant progress. The organization managed to gain access to refugees in detention through legal actions, provided legal support, and secured the release of many pending their procedures. They also organized important courses for judges and created insurance options for undocumented individuals.
Despite these successes, challenges persist. Curaçao still faces a lack of effective migration and refugee policies, which, according to Witteveen, is concerning. Hope is placed on change, especially the possibility for undocumented individuals to apply for work permits.
Children
Witteveen particularly remembers cases involving children as the most poignant. The forced separation of families and the return of minors to Venezuela emphasize the need for a more humane policy.
The collaboration with VluchtelingenWerk Nederland is highly positive, according to Witteveen. This partnership has contributed to capacity building and legal knowledge within HRDC, essential for the continuation of their work.
Looking to the future, Witteveen emphasizes the importance of an independent human rights organization for Curaçao. With confidence, she hands over the reins to the next generation, convinced that HRDC can and will bring about lasting change.
Witteveen's farewell marks the end of an era, but her legacy and the continuation of her work will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the protection of refugees and the promotion of human rights in Curaçao.