Dutch Parliament demands consultation with Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten

THE HAGUE — The Dutch House of Representatives’ Committee for Kingdom Relations is urging the cabinet to restore clear consultation procedures with Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten before the Kingdom adopts decisions that directly affect the Caribbean countries.

The committee has asked State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg for an urgent response and a concrete proposal to improve the consultation process.

The dispute began after the Kingdom of the Netherlands decided in March to abstain from a United Nations resolution concerning the transatlantic slave trade and slavery without first consulting Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

The three Caribbean countries regarded the issue as particularly sensitive because of their direct historical connection to slavery.

During a tripartite meeting in The Hague on June 4, parliamentary delegations from Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten jointly criticized the lack of consultation, arguing that it exposed a broader democratic deficit within the Kingdom.

The issue has now reached the Dutch House itself. The committee wants more than an explanation of the slavery-resolution controversy and is asking for a structural solution.

New consultation procedures could give Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten a clearer role before the Kingdom determines international positions on matters that directly concern them.

Van der Burg must now explain how the cabinet intends to guarantee that the Caribbean countries are consulted before such Kingdom decisions are made.