WILLEMSTAD – On Emancipation Day, July 1, the parliamentary faction MAN-PIN announced a formal proposal to establish a Commission for Decolonization, Reparations, and Healing to address the lasting consequences of colonialism and slavery in Curaçao. 

The initiative highlights the enduring impact of colonialism on the island’s social, economic, and cultural life, emphasizing the need for a shared understanding of history as a foundation for shaping the future. 

Broad Community Support 

The proposal draws on the legacy of local scholars and activists who have long worked to raise awareness of these issues. Among them are Dr. Moises da Costa Gomez, Professor Yandi Paula, and Professor Rose Mary Allen—figures who have significantly contributed to the preservation of Afro-Curaçaoan culture and historical consciousness. 

The envisioned commission would be tasked with researching the institutional and socio-economic consequences of colonialism, offering recommendations for reparative justice and healing, and making historical archives more accessible. It would also promote public education and awareness on these important topics. 

A Global Movement 

The proposal is in line with broader international developments, including Caricom’s 10-point reparations plan and the United Nations’ designation of two decades dedicated to people of African descent. 

MAN-PIN's initiative aims to place Curaçao at the forefront of regional and global efforts to confront the legacies of slavery and colonialism—by fostering justice, understanding, and collective healing within the Kingdom and beyond.