NEW YORK - There are major differences between the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten regarding the access that children and young people have to health care, education, social assistance, and youth care. That is what the so-called Children's Rights Collective concludes based on a recently published report by the United Nations (UN).
The differences between the Netherlands and the BES islands deserve special attention. "It makes a difference in which municipality a child lives that could have major consequences for children in disadvantaged situations," says the Children's Rights Collective.
The Netherlands urgently needs to work on the observance of children's rights. Shortcomings have been noted particularly in the refugee reception and foster care on the islands. The children's rights collective is pleased that the Children's Ombudsman Act has been ratified in Curaçao. Nevertheless, the UN advises the Netherlands to ensure that an independent institute is established as a matter of urgency in all countries within the Kingdom to promote children's rights. This institute must handle the complaints of children in a child-friendly manner.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has presented a substantial list of points for improvement, including on violence against children, migration, the consequences of climate change, the benefits affair, and digital children's rights.