WILLEMSTAD – In a press release, the members of the National Innovation Party say that they have taken note of the new government measure in Curaçao regarding traveling with children under the age of 18 who are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and have a permit from the parent. Several parents approached the party with concerns about what they need to do and what requirements they must meet to travel with their children this year. In addition to the uncertainty, it is also a headache to obtain the necessary documents, which complicates matters for citizens who have already planned their trips.
The National Innovation Party say they want to emphasize that they agree with this law and measure, but the lack of information and the limitations in terms of personnel and resources on the part of the government hinder the government itself from providing an optimal service to the public. When the government wants to implement a new measure or law, it should provide sufficient time and information for people to adapt to these new rules and regulations. Moreover, the government should have the capacity to provide the necessary services related to this law.
The party says it wants to make a call to Minister Hato and Minister Martina to launch a more aggressive information campaign so that citizens know where they should go and what they need to do to be prepared. The party also urges them to work on improving the capacity to provide services at the civil registry and the court office, ensuring that services are provided within a reasonable timeframe to prevent anyone from being disadvantaged. We are aware that increasing capacity at the civil registry and the court office cannot be achieved overnight, and in this case, we advocate for extending the transition period. The National Innovation Party also urges the government to address and communicate the issues faced by parents who were married abroad but currently reside in Curaçao without a marriage certificate, as well as cases, where children were not born in Curaçao and their birth certificates, must be obtained from abroad, which can take a long time. Other countries, such as the United States, provide a birth certificate on the day of birth, and that should be taken into account in Curaçao's regulations. Lastly, the party urges the government to consider adapting the regulations and extending the validity of the six-month period for obtaining an extract from the guardianship register.
“We hope that the government will take into account the points we have raised here,” says the members of the party in their press release.