THE HAGUE – The introduction of the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, along with the Hague Child Abduction Convention, remains a priority for the Dutch Caribbean. However, according to the Kingdom Relations budget, both treaties are still some way from being fully implemented.
The delay appears linked to the fact that Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten must first complete several preparatory steps. As a result, the Dutch government has postponed the application of these—and other human rights treaties—to the Caribbean Netherlands as well.
Seven Treaties on the Table
Every year, the Dutch government reports to Parliament on the status of human rights treaty implementation in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. A joint commission, consisting of representatives from the four countries, manages a list of seven treaties awaiting implementation in one or more Caribbean territories.
Two treaties have been prioritized: the Istanbul Convention and the Hague Child Abduction Convention. Both are expected to have a significant impact on the legal protection of vulnerable women and children in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, and have already been designated as urgent by the local governments.
Tailored Implementation Required
What remains to be done before ratification varies by country. Because each territory faces different legal and administrative challenges, the implementation process requires a tailored approach. The agreement is that each country will first map out the necessary measures in an implementation plan. Where needed, the Netherlands will provide support before the treaties are formally applied.
Heavy Workload and International Support
The Istanbul Convention in particular poses difficulties due to its broad scope and complex implementation requirements, resulting in heavier workloads for the governments involved. To support the Caribbean countries, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), and the Kingdom’s Permanent Representation in Strasbourg organized a conference in December 2024.
During this meeting, Caribbean countries and public bodies exchanged experiences and best practices with Council of Europe member states facing similar challenges due to their size or geography. The delegation also visited the Council of Europe’s secretariat and supervisory bodies, including the Lanzarote Committee, to strengthen knowledge-sharing and improve readiness for treaty implementation.
Although several human rights treaties have already entered into force for parts of the Caribbean Kingdom in recent years, none were implemented last year, primarily due to the intensive efforts required for the Istanbul Convention.
