There is a deep connection between the European Netherlands, the Caribbean Netherlands and the other countries in our Kingdom. We want to do more justice to this special relationship and work together on good solutions for the specific social problems on the islands based on mutual involvement, solidarity and mutual respect.
We bear a special responsibility for the three special Dutch municipalities in particular,” can be read in the election program ‘New Connectedness’ of the Christian Union:
Serving Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba are part of the Netherlands. But the residents of these three islands, which together form the Caribbean Netherlands, are not always treated the same as residents of the European Netherlands. There is a less strong social safety net for residents of the BES, more poverty and basic matters such as a BSN number are not properly arranged. Too often, the residents of the Caribbean Netherlands are forgotten about new laws or new policies. The government must serve the entire society, including on the BES islands, which starts with an adequate social minimum.
- Give people enough to get by. The incomes of workers, welfare recipients and pensioners must increase so that people can buy food and provide for their livelihood. We are also introducing an unemployment benefit on the BES and aiming to bring social assistance and AOV (AOW) in line with the schemes that apply in the European Netherlands.
- Reduce the cost of living. It’s expensive to live on an island. That is why the Netherlands is working to reduce the costs of food and the use of electricity, internet and water, also by supporting the generation of local energy, local food supply and local entrepreneurship. We also look critically at double import tariffs that unnecessarily increase the cost of living.
- Choosing children. Care for children and support for parents is not always well organised. Combating child poverty is also a priority at the BES. There will be better care for children with disabilities and a Youth Act for the BES. Childcare at the BES will be completely free. Fathers are entitled to the same parental leave as in the Netherlands.
- Help young parents. On the BES islands, many pregnancies are terminated prematurely with an abortion. It’s sad that many women see this as the only way out. The Christian Union wants better support for young parents and a diverse range of assistance for pregnant women. Sex education, appropriate to the context of communities, can also help to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies.
- Equality as a starting point. New policies and new laws must also apply in the Caribbean Netherlands. Only if this is in line with the wishes of the island governments themselves will this be deviated from. For example, if legislation is less appropriate for the scale or cultural context of the islands.
- Give residents of the Caribbean Netherlands a BSN number. A BSN number is important to participate in Dutch society. Legislation must be accelerated to also give residents of the BES a BSN number.
- Help the BES to be resilient to climate change. The inhabitants of the BES islands and nature are very vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. The Netherlands is therefore investing in climate adaptation and nature restoration.
- TBS provision in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. Forensic care in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom is not in order. This leads to dangerous situations on the islands and in some cases also in the European Netherlands. The Netherlands is working on better forensic facilities, for example by establishing a TBS clinic for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
Connected to Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten
Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten – the CAS countries – are a special part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As countries within the Kingdom, they are autonomous, but connected to the Netherlands. Mutual solidarity in the Kingdom means that countries support each other, with respect for their own language, culture and traditions, and continue to invest in mutual trust and empathy. This will also have to pay attention to the wounds left by the colonial bond and the history of slavery.
- Work on equal relationships. The relationships between countries in the Kingdom are not always equal, for example in the case of new laws that apply to the entire Kingdom. The Netherlands will enter into consultation with the CAS countries to resolve this democratic deficit.
- Create a Canon of the Kingdom together. The Netherlands, Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba have a complex history in which inequality and oppression existed for centuries. To give this shared history a place and to continue to remember it, a Canon of the Kingdom will be jointly created.
- Strengthen the democratic constitutional state on the islands. In the Kingdom, the countries work together to strengthen human rights and freedoms, legal certainty and the soundness of governance. Guaranteeing and strengthening the democratic constitutional state remains an important starting point in agreements on budgets and financial support.
- Fight against the gambling mafia. The gambling industry in Curaçao in particular undermines the rule of law and public administration. Financial support to the CAS countries therefore pays particular attention to reducing rogue gambling companies operating through the islands and tackling Russian letterbox companies.
- Together we are strong against human trafficking. The Netherlands is working with the islands in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom to develop a joint approach against human trafficking. The mandate of the National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking will be expanded for this purpose, at least to the BES islands. The Netherlands also supports the CAS countries in improving the reception of victims of human trafficking. dossierkoninkrijksrelaties.nl