WILLEMSTAD – The Papiamentu version of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was officially presented during the Human Rights Conference Curaçao 2026, marking a step toward making fundamental human rights more accessible and understandable to the Curaçao community.
The translated convention was presented on October 6 to the Acting Governor of Curaçao and Minister of Justice Shalten Hato.
For Hato, the presentation carried special significance as he received the Papiamentu version from Darren Hernandez, an official from the Department of Internal Affairs.
Hato, who served as keynote speaker at the conference, said human rights should not exist only on paper but should have a tangible impact on everyday life.
Human rights become relevant, he said, when citizens interact with government authorities, when children need protection, when someone is detained or when a person is deprived of their liberty.
The conference brought together representatives of the Council of Europe, legal professionals, government and civil society representatives, academics, students and young professionals.
Attention was also given to Curaçao’s position within the international human rights system. The European Convention on Human Rights has applied to Curaçao for several decades, and Hato stressed the importance of residents knowing their rights and understanding the protections available to them.
Participants discussed fundamental human rights, the rights of children and minorities, detention, rehabilitation and ways to strengthen the practical implementation of human rights.
Under the moderation of Jo-Anne Bakhuis-Da Costa Gomez, participants were also given an opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions and engage in dialogue.
Further cooperation between Curaçao and the Council of Europe was another central theme. Hato highlighted opportunities for practical cooperation in areas including reform of the detention system, forensic care, rehabilitation and the continued professional development of institutions and their personnel.
The presentation of the Papiamentu translation of the ECHR was described as an important symbolic moment in those efforts.
“If human rights belong to everyone, people must be able to read, discuss and understand them in their own language,” Hato said. “Human rights do not belong only to lawyers. They belong to all of us.”
The government said the Human Rights Conference Curaçao 2026 forms part of continued efforts to increase awareness and knowledge and strengthen cooperation surrounding the protection of human rights in Curaçao.
