THE HAGUE – Dutch Member of Parliament Faith Bruyning (NSC) has raised serious concerns about the precarious situation at the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) and broader challenges in migration and border control in the CAS countries (Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten). During a committee debate with State Secretary for Kingdom Relations, Zsolt Szabó, Bruyning called on the Dutch government to take a more active role, invoking the Kingdom’s constitutional safeguard function.
The Critical State of Curaçao Medical Center
In her address, Bruyning highlighted the alarming state of healthcare on the island, focusing on the CMC’s struggles with insufficient funding, staffing shortages, and resource deficits. “The Curaçao Medical Center is in a critical situation, threatening not only the island’s healthcare system but also the lives of its residents and others in need of care,” she stated.
Bruyning stressed that adequate healthcare is a fundamental human right, and the current state of the CMC compromises the quality of care available to Curaçao’s citizens. She argued that the Kingdom’s safeguard function, outlined in the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, obligates the Dutch government to intervene when fundamental rights are at risk.
Szabó acknowledged the concerns but emphasized that healthcare is a local responsibility for Curaçao. He noted that the Dutch government had offered support to the Pisas administration regarding the CMC but that the offer was not accepted.
A Call for Sustainable Solutions
Bruyning urged the state secretary to collaborate with Curaçao to establish a long-term plan to stabilize and improve healthcare services. She proposed forming a task force to address the structural issues in the healthcare system. “This requires both immediate action and a focus on sustainable collaboration. Can the state secretary commit to engaging with the Curaçao government to create a task force aimed at lasting solutions for healthcare challenges?” she asked.
Migration and Border Security Concerns
Bruyning also turned her attention to the ongoing migration pressures stemming from the crisis in Venezuela, which has led to increased migration to the CAS countries. She emphasized the dual responsibility of ensuring effective border management while upholding the dignity and rights of those seeking refuge.
“The migration pressure from Venezuela necessitates effective border control to limit illegal migration and criminal activity, but it also requires protecting the human rights of those in need,” Bruyning stated.
She suggested measures to improve border infrastructure and capacity, such as training border officers in human rights and crisis management and integrating advanced technologies for enhanced surveillance. “Given the Kingdom’s safeguard function, what role can the Netherlands play in addressing these challenges?” she asked Szabó.
Regional and International Cooperation
Bruyning emphasized the need for regional cooperation among the CAS countries to strengthen border management and immigration policies. She also called for a more active Dutch role in collaborating with international organizations to address the root causes of migration, such as Venezuela’s political and economic instability.
“Does the state secretary see opportunities to foster regional collaboration between the CAS countries to improve border security and migration policies? Additionally, how can existing partnerships with international organizations be strengthened to tackle the refugee crisis?” she inquired.
Defining Minimum Standards Across the Kingdom
In her concluding remarks, Bruyning highlighted a previous advisory by the Council of State, which recommended establishing a shared minimum standard for upholding the values outlined in Article 43 of the Charter. She called on the state secretary to work with the CAS countries to define these baseline standards.
“Can the state secretary commit to collaborating with the CAS governments to formulate a shared minimum standard for implementing the values in Article 43 of the Charter?” she asked.
