Almost 300 laws apply to the Caribbean Netherlands

For residents on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba it is often not clear which legislation applies to the islands. Former Member of the Second Chamber of Dutch Parliament Jorien Wuite (D66) asked the Dutch Government in an adopted motion to draw up a total overview of all legislation currently applicable in the Caribbean Netherlands.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations (BZK) in collaboration with the other departments has created an overview. The document with the total overview with in it almost 300 laws has been sent to the Second Chamber, together with the bi-annual legislation overview with in principle the most important legislation for the Caribbean Netherlands. The periodic legislation overview is mainly to let the Caribbean Netherlands know which laws and regulations are being realised in the short and medium term.

In Wuite’s motion it is also stated that residents in the Caribbean Netherlands must be informed about the laws that are currently applicable. Information about the laws:

• Infographic with a global overview of legislation subjects with examples;

• Total overview with all laws;

https://wetten.overheid.nl/ all law texts are stated here

All Parliamentary documents on this topic are here: https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2024Z07524&did=2024D17306

The Public Entities Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba will become more, and earlier, involved in the preparation of policy and legislation. The periodic legislation overview will also be included in this effort.