THE HAGUE – Curaçao’s Parliament Speaker, Fergino Brownbill (MFK), used his opening remarks at the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) to sharply criticize the role of the College for Financial Supervision (Cft). According to Brownbill, instead of strengthening Curaçao, the Cft has become an obstacle.
He described the conditions attached by the Netherlands to granting loans to Curaçao as “undermining autonomy” and called for a redefinition of the Cft’s role. “There must be more reasonableness, room for dialogue, respect, solidarity, and trust, rather than mistrust,” Brownbill stressed.
The Curaçao Speaker also anticipated upcoming discussions on the recent advisory opinion issued by the Council of State to mark the 70th anniversary of the Kingdom Charter. While acknowledging the “building blocks” the Council had provided for improving cooperation between the Kingdom’s countries, Brownbill warned that certain recommendations were incompatible with the autonomy of the Caribbean nations.
Voices from Aruba and St. Maarten
Aruba’s Parliament Speaker, Marlon Sneek, addressed what he called a “democratic deficit rooted in colonial history,” describing it as a form of historic inequality that has no place in the modern era. He expressed hope that a soon-to-be-established joint committee will succeed in presenting proposals to strengthen the voice of the Caribbean countries in Kingdom decision-making. Sneek also urged the Netherlands to take greater account of the individuality of the Caribbean countries, calling for tailor-made approaches that reflect their unique identities.
Meanwhile, Sint Maarten’s Parliament Speaker, Sarah Wescot-Williams—one of the most experienced IPKO participants—focused on the position of Caribbean students in the Netherlands. She stressed that while the islands are grateful for the opportunity for higher education abroad, these young people “are not foreigners, but Dutch citizens who must be treated as such.” Wescot-Williams also reminded Dutch parliamentarians that the Caribbean countries are classified as Small Island Developing States (SIDS), a status that brings with it special vulnerabilities and challenges.
Broader Context
The remarks at the IPKO opening highlighted the ongoing tension between the Caribbean countries’ call for more autonomy and equality within the Kingdom, and the oversight structures that the Netherlands insists are necessary for financial stability and governance.
The deliberations continue this week in The Hague. Opening speeches and live coverage of the sessions are available on the website of the Dutch Senate.
