WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Parliament is demanding that the Kingdom government consult Curaçao before adopting international positions at the United Nations, following controversy over the Netherlands’ handling of a UN resolution concerning transatlantic slavery.
Parliament adopted a motion calling for mandatory consultation with Curaçao before positions affecting the Kingdom are determined at the international level.
The immediate reason for the motion was the Netherlands’ decision to abstain from voting on a UN resolution recognizing transatlantic slavery as a crime against humanity.
According to Curaçao Parliament, the island was not consulted before the position was taken. Parliamentarians described the lack of consultation as a violation of the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and a slap in the face to the Curaçao population.
The dispute has now prompted Parliament to demand formal agreements with The Hague on how Kingdom positions at international organizations should be determined.
The motion calls for an official mutual arrangement between Curaçao and the Netherlands establishing clear procedures for consultation and decision-making before the Kingdom takes positions at the United Nations.
Such an arrangement would be intended to ensure that Curaçao has an opportunity to express its views when international matters directly affect the country or involve issues of particular historical and social importance.
The slavery resolution has particular significance for Curaçao because of the island’s history within the transatlantic slave trade and the continuing debate about slavery, colonialism, recognition and reparatory justice.
Parliament has also decided that Curaçao will communicate its own position on the slavery resolution directly to the United Nations, making clear that the position taken on behalf of the Kingdom does not reflect Curaçao’s view.
The motion adds a new dimension to the longstanding discussion about Curaçao’s influence over foreign affairs within the Kingdom, particularly when the Kingdom speaks internationally on matters that directly concern the Caribbean countries.