THE HAGUE - Seven human rights treaties that were originally part of State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen's Kingdom Relations program are now being transferred to Minister Hanke Bruins Slot of Foreign Affairs.
These treaties include those against international child abduction from 1980, child trafficking from 2000, the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture from 2002, and the fight against human trafficking from 2005.
This step has created a combined process in The Hague for addressing treaties for the entire Kingdom, while the subcommittee for human rights treaties within Kingdom Relations remains involved in promoting the implementation of human rights treaties in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
Priority
The selection of treaties to be addressed on a priority basis has been completed. This includes treaties related to the protection of classified information, cybercrime, the environment, labor, and anti-corruption. This selection took into account the preferences of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, the Kingdom's interests, and the feasibility of the approach.
The two-track policy for the selected treaties involves sharing knowledge and expertise, as well as providing support. The cooperative program, in which legal experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs support the Foreign Affairs Directorates of the three countries, has been positively received and will continue.
Conference
A conference is also being planned to engage with other (island) states in the Caribbean region to discuss challenges in treaty practice. In particular, the focus will be on institutional capacity and how to address or best address capacity challenges.
Preparations for the conference have already begun. The conference is being organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, as well as the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. The goal is to hold the conference on June 4 and 5, 2024, in Curaçao.
Overview
The overview below provides a concise insight into the selected treaties on which support to Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten is focused.
International Child Abduction (1980): Aims to protect children from abduction by a parent to another country. Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children (2000): Focuses on the elimination of child trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography. Optional Protocol to Prevent Torture (2002): Aims at preventing torture and inhuman treatment. Combating Trafficking in Persons (2005): Focuses on combating human trafficking, especially women and children. Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006): Aims at the inclusion and protection of persons with disabilities. Protection against Enforced Disappearance (2006): Seeks the prevention and elimination of enforced disappearances. Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (2011): Aims at the prevention and elimination of violence against women and domestic violence. Protection of Classified Information (1960): Concerns the protection of classified information between the Netherlands and the United States. Combating Offenses through Electronic Networks (2001): Focuses on combating cybercrime. Additional Protocol on Racism and Xenophobia (2003): Combats racist and xenophobic acts through computer systems. Second Additional Protocol on Electronic Evidence (2022): Aims at closer cooperation and data sharing regarding cybercrime. Convention against Corruption (2003): Aims at preventing and combating corruption. Land Pollution in the Caribbean Area (1999): Concerns pollution from sources and activities on land in the Caribbean area. Right to Organize and Collective Action (1949): Promotes the right to organize and engage in collective action. Minimum Age for Admission to Employment (1973): Establishes minimum age requirements for entry into the labor force. Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (1981): Aims at workplace safety, health, and environmental protection.