WILLEMSTAD - The Ombudsman of Curaçao, who acts as an independent authority overseeing the government's functioning, has issued sharp criticism of the Minister of Traffic, Transportation, and Spatial Planning (VVRP), Charles Cooper. In a letter to the president of the Parliament, the Ombudsman accuses the minister of undermining his authority by repeatedly refusing to cooperate in addressing citizens' complaints. According to the Ombudsman, this behavior, which contradicts the principles of good governance, constitutes a serious violation of citizens' rights.
In the letter dated August 20, the Ombudsman references eighteen individual complaints submitted to Minister Cooper since September 2023. These complaints concern the land policy of the Executive Organization for Land Management (UO Domeinbeheer), an agency under the minister's responsibility. The complaints involve requests for land legalization, applications for government land, transfers of rental plots, conversion of rental plots to leasehold plots, and the expansion of domain plots.
Despite repeated requests to resolve these complaints within a reasonable period of four months, the minister has yet to respond. The Ombudsman states that, due to the lack of response, his investigation into the complaints has continued, with preliminary findings presented to both the complainants and the minister in June of this year. Once again, the minister failed to respond, leading the Ombudsman to consolidate his investigation and finalize a report.
Lack of Cooperation
The Ombudsman notes that the minister not only failed to make substantive decisions but has also consistently refused to provide the requested documents and information. The minister has not taken an official position on the complaints, nor has he communicated in any way with the Ombudsman or the affected citizens. This lack of cooperation undermines not only the authority and effectiveness of the Ombudsman's office but also results in the improper treatment of citizens who approached the government with their complaints.
The Ombudsman stresses that the current stance of Minister Cooper violates the principles of good governance, including the timely and careful handling of complaints and respectful treatment of citizens. By disregarding these principles, the minister shows, according to the Ombudsman, a lack of concern for citizens' rights and issues, demonstrating indifference to the consequences of his actions. This behavior not only erodes citizens' trust in the government but also undermines the democratic accountability and transparency necessary for a well-functioning rule of law.
Finally, the Ombudsman makes an urgent recommendation to Minister Cooper to make decisions on the individual complaints of the citizens within eight weeks of the report's date. The Ombudsman hopes this will finally address the citizens' concerns and ensure that the minister takes his responsibilities as a government official seriously.