THE HAGUE - The Netherlands has urged Curaçao to take on a more self-reliant role in upholding human rights within its borders. Recent concerns over human rights arose after Amnesty International released a report on the treatment of illegal Venezuelan immigrants living on the island. State Secretary for Kingdom Relations, Alexandra van Huffelen, clarified that the oversight of human rights issues does not fall under the direct responsibility of the Netherlands.
Despite this clarification, Van Huffelen's letter to the Dutch Parliament emphasizes that all applications received in the Netherlands will continue to be carefully processed, maintaining their commitment to human rights protection. Moreover, the State Secretary believes that there is still room for improvement in the realm of human rights on Curaçao.
Various organizations operating in Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten have been actively supporting the rights of vulnerable groups, including foreigners. While these groups have not yet become part of a joint international working group, Van Huffelen has suggested that this is a viable option for future collaboration.
Van Huffelen did, however, recognize an overall improvement in the human rights situation compared to several years ago. This progress includes public awareness campaigns focused on curbing human trafficking and smuggling. The Netherlands remains dedicated to fostering a stronger culture of human rights protection in the Caribbean region.