Van Huffelen transfers frozen financial contribution to Curaçao

THE HAGUE – Curaçao will receive more funds from the Netherlands for improving the reception of foreigners.  

 

Former State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops froze these funds more than a year ago because the Curaçao government did not cooperate sufficiently in the humane treatment of Venezuelans who illegally enter the country.  

 

According to Knop's successor Van Huffelen, the Pisas cabinet has now shown goodwill, reason for her to still release the frozen part of the initially promised contribution. 

 

In her letter, Van Huffelen explains that last year, Curaçao and the Netherlands held various discussions at an official, administrative and political level about progress on the immaterial aspects. Van Huffelen says that the Curaçao Minister of Justice had informed her that he has made sufficient progress and described which plans he was initiating to further improve these aspects.  

 

“In recent months, concrete steps have been taken to improve both legal assistance and the day program, and education and training have been given to staff working in the Foreigners Reception and Detention Center (VODC) to improve, among other things, the treatment of foreign nationals,” says Van Huffelen in reference to what was explained to her by the Curaçao Minister of Justice.  

 

Curaçao has plans to attract and train personnel to furnish a medical room and to carry out a day program aimed at foreign nationals within the VODC. These steps all contribute to the ultimate goal of shaping humane treatment of and conditions for foreigners in line with international standards. 




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