WILLEMSTAD - Former Prime Minister Maria Liberia-Peters has called for a revision of the Statute of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. "The Statute is not an eternal decree," Liberia-Peters said during a lecture at the University of Curaçao. According to her, it is crucial that the document, which was established in 1954, be evaluated and updated to better address present and future challenges.
The lecture was held in honor of the establishment of a new chair dedicated to Mr. Dr. Moises Frumencio Da Costa Gomez, known as the architect of the Statute and one of the most important political figures in Curaçao's history. Liberia-Peters emphasized the importance of keeping his vision alive and adapting it to the current context.
Vision
"Doctor once said, 'No autonomy without economy, no economy without autonomy.' That principle still holds true," Liberia-Peters said, referring to Da Costa Gomez's philosophy. She emphasized that the Statute was originally a pragmatic compromise that reflected the circumstances of its time but now urgently needs to be revised. "We must look at what still binds us, but also at what prevents us from functioning as full partners within the Kingdom."
During her speech, she provided several examples of the limitations imposed on Curaçao by the Statute. She pointed to economic issues where Kingdom regulations reduce the island's effectiveness. She also mentioned the unclear responsibilities in the cooperation between the Kingdom countries as a source of frustration. "After seventy years, we must honestly assess what works and what does not," Liberia-Peters stated.
Cooperation and Inclusivity
Liberia-Peters called for the creation of a broadly composed working group where all political parties and experts collaborate to form a new vision for the Statute. "We must move away from partisan interests and work towards solutions that benefit everyone," she said.
She proposed involving not only constitutional law experts but also representatives from the economy, culture, and social sectors. "Today's challenges require a holistic approach, just as Da Costa Gomez envisioned at the time."
The Chair
The speech took place in honor of the establishment of the 'Doctor' chair, which is dedicated to the intellectual legacy of Da Costa Gomez. This chair will focus on research into constitutional law, socio-economic structures, and the role of culture and identity in political developments. Liberia-Peters praised this initiative as a significant recognition of Da Costa Gomez's contributions to the development of Curaçao and the Kingdom.
"Doctor believed that knowledge and inclusivity are the keys to progress," said Liberia-Peters. "He knew that changing laws and rules alone was not enough; society itself must change through education and awareness." She referred to his efforts to create equal opportunities in education and his emphasis on the importance of national identity.
Call to Action
Liberia-Peters concluded her speech with a call to the Curaçao Parliament to seize this opportunity. "The seventieth anniversary of the Statute is not just a moment to celebrate, but above all, a moment to reflect and look ahead," she said. She called for a serious and mature debate on the future of the Statute, based on Da Costa Gomez's vision and the current reality. "Let us build a stronger Curaçao, respecting our history, but with our eyes focused on the future."