PHILIPSBURG--The Kingdom Statute continues to be a topic of contention with politicians. This was again demonstrated when a heated discussion erupted among Members of Parliament (MPs) especially from Cura�ao and The Netherlands on Wednesday afternoon.
Dutch MP Ronald van Raak and Cura�ao MP Herman Wiel went head to head during the second day of the Inter-Parliamentary Affairs and Kingdom Relations Conference on the matter after some Cura�ao MPs pointed out that the statute was not entirely, in their opinion, in line with international regulations.
Aside from the across the floor arguments, there were also arguments within the Cura�ao delegation with members representing different political parties giving their view on how the change to the statute as part of the just over a year old constitutional change may have been hasty.
Van Raak asked the Cura�ao delegation if they were willing to hold to agreements in the statute and if they could not, to have a referendum and leave the Dutch Kingdom.
Wiel retorted that Van Raak should research international agreements on decolonisation and until he did this should remain silent on Cura�ao about a referendum.
The flurry of heated comments continued with Dutch MP Eric Lucassen also adding his stance about The Netherlands carrying the Dutch Caribbean islands. His comments and that of Van Raak were in no way welcomed by the MPs from Cura�ao and Aruba.
The discussion started off with most MPs pointing to the need for better interpretation of the statute and for the document to serve as a foundation for cooperation.
Aruba MP Ren� Herd� said the statute should be used as a tool for development and to find new ways of cooperation. All possibilities of the statute have not been exhausted, he added.
Cura�ao MP Amerigo Thode also saw the statute as a basis for cooperation that also protects the collective interest of the people and countries of the kingdom.
St. Maarten MP Roy Marlin said that the statute should work as a means to address the democratic deficit in the kingdom.
Aruba MP Juan Thijsen called for more voting authority for the Dutch Caribbean partners on kingdom laws, a change to bring about a more meaningful contribution. He urged countries to stay true to the interpretation of the statute.
Dutch MP Andre Bosman said The Netherlands was responsible for the guarantee function and the other countries for their parts.
Aruba MP Juan-David Yrausquin called for the establishment of a committee to address the issues on the statute. The finalising of that committee will possibly take place today, Thursday, when discussions continue on the statute as well as the procedure for kingdom consensus laws, a topic on the agenda for yesterday but had to be postponed due to time constraints.
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