WILLEMSTAD – Although Curaçao has yet to appoint a dedicated Children's Ombudsman, the Ombudsman's Office has continued carrying out its child rights responsibilities, while warning that children's interests are still not being adequately considered by many public institutions.
According to the Ombudsman's 2025 Annual Report, the office has handled children's rights matters since the Children's Ombudsman law entered into force in November 2020. Those responsibilities have been carried out by the Ombudsman alongside the institution's regular work investigating complaints against government agencies.
In recent years, the office has examined incidents at schools and childcare centers, reviewed oversight of childcare services, monitored compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and prepared a baseline study on child abuse in Curaçao.
The report notes that these activities underscore why lawmakers envisioned a separate Children's Ombudsman: a full-time official dedicated exclusively to investigating children's rights issues, handling complaints, conducting research and holding both public authorities and private organizations accountable.
The Ombudsman also expressed concern that government agencies continue to give insufficient consideration to the perspective and best interests of children when making policy decisions.
According to the report, this often results in fragmented approaches to social problems, preventing children from receiving the support to which they are entitled.
The office further noted that cooperation among government agencies remains difficult, while some private organizations performing public functions are still unaware that they may fall under the Ombudsman's oversight.
The need for a Children's Ombudsman has long been emphasized by civil society. In 2022, the Human Rights Defense Curaçao organization called for a swift appointment, warning that every day of delay could result in additional hardship and injustice for children.
The latest annual report indicates that, despite those warnings, the position remains vacant and the legal obstacles preventing recruitment have yet to be resolved.