WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao government must respond to a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in The Hague concerning children's right to access clean drinking water. This demand was made by Curaçao’s Ombudsman for Children, Keursly Concincion, in a letter to the Minister of Economic Development, Ruisandro Cijntje. 

The ruling states that children should never be cut off from drinking water, regardless of their parents' payment issues. This decision is based on the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the Civil Code. 

The Ombudsman pointed out that this verdict also applies to Curaçao due to the provisions of the Kingdom Charter. Curaçao still faces the issue of many families lacking access to clean drinking water. Recently, the Curaçao Parliament passed two motions calling on the government to find a structural solution in collaboration with Aqualectra N.V. 

Aqualectra, the government-owned monopoly responsible for water supply, should be cautious with disconnections, according to the Ombudsman. While water doesn’t have to be free, children must always have access to clean drinking water, even if their parents cannot pay the bills. This right is recognized as a fundamental human right.

The Ombudsman emphasized that Aqualectra, wholly owned by the Curaçao government, must adopt policies that comply with international treaties. The recent ruling in The Hague calls upon the Dutch State and water companies to take measures ensuring that minor children always have access to sufficient drinking water according to WHO standards. 

The Ombudsman asked the minister for his stance on the verdict and its implications for local children, offering to discuss the issue further in a personal meeting.