WILLEMSTAD – More than a year after the Supreme Court of the Netherlands ruled that same-sex couples must be granted the right to marry in Curaçao and Aruba, Member of Parliament Sheldry Osepa (PNP) is seeking clarity on how the landmark decision has affected Curaçaoan society and government operations. 

In a formal letter addressed to Minister Ornelio “Kid” Lew-Jen-Tai of Governance, Planning and Public Service, Osepa submitted eight questions regarding the implementation and consequences of the July 12, 2024, ruling. 

The Supreme Court decision mandated that the right to marry could no longer be limited to heterosexual couples, sparking intense public debate and strong backlash from religious and conservative groups across the island. Since then, Osepa notes, there has been a notable silence from the government, and he believes it is time to take stock of the situation. 

Key Questions from Parliament 

Osepa is asking for concrete data, including: 

The total number of marriages registered in Curaçao since July 2024 

The number of same-sex marriages 

Whether any divorces have occurred within that group 

Feedback from civil registry officials on their experiences conducting same-sex marriages 

Whether any officials have refused to perform same-sex weddings, and if so, how the government responded 

In his final question, Osepa challenges the government to clarify whether its handling of the issue reflects “a well-managed approach or chaotic improvisation.” 

He concludes the letter with a call for the minister to respond promptly, stressing that transparency and accountability on such a socially sensitive topic are essential. 

The inquiry reopens public discourse on same-sex marriage in Curaçao, one year after the historic ruling, and puts pressure on the government to demonstrate how it has upheld the rights enshrined by the Kingdom’s highest court.