Inhabitants Caribbean Netherlands better protected against discrimination
The Council of Ministers, on the proposal of Minister De Jonge (Interior and Kingdom Relations), agreed to send the Equal treatment legislation to the House of Representatives. This means that inhabitants of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba can invoke these laws if they feel discriminated. At this moment in time, the legislation only applies to the European part of the Netherlands.
Minister De Jonge: ‘’This important step is long overdue because equal treatment is a constitutional right. Art. 1 applies to the whole of the Netherlands, thus also the Caribbean region. This means we can protect everyone on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba against discrimination.’’
State Secretary Van Huffelen: “Last year, the Executive Councils expressly asked me to introduce and implement this legislation as quickly as possible. The Thodé commission, which studied what was needed to introduce this legislation on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, had in-depth discussions on the islands about the fundamental right to equal treatment. I believe it is very important that the Public Entities were closely involved in the realisation of this study”.
Due to this proposal, residents of the Caribbean Netherlands who feel discriminated against on whatever grounds (gender, age, origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation etc.) will be entitled to invoke the anti-discrimination legislation. They will also be able to submit a complaint to a new BES anti-discrimination service and ask for free help and advice. Each island will have its own office, where broader legal issues will also be addressed. Finally, they can ask the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (College voor de Rechten van de Mens) to rule on their case.