At the end of 2024, the National Institute for Human Rights presented its 2025 annual plan for the Caribbean Netherlands. The main points of this plan are:
1. Thorough preparation for the implementation of decisions
On January 1, 2026, the Equal Treatment Legislation will take effect in the Caribbean Netherlands. This means that from that date, residents on the islands can turn to the Institute with a discrimination complaint. They can request a decision on whether discrimination has occurred. This decision-making task must be well prepared to ensure it fits the culture and context of the islands. Because the islands are small and close-knit communities, people often know each other personally. For this reason, the Institute expects that in some cases, a mediator will be used instead of immediately issuing a decision.
2. Further development of advice & encouragement
The Institute will maintain its focus on combating poverty and discrimination in the Caribbean Netherlands. Equal rights for people with disabilities and combating violence against women and girls also remain important issues. Two topics the Institute wants to investigate further are:
3. Further expanding education, networks and communication
To carry out good work in the Caribbean Netherlands, it is important to have as many strong contacts on the islands as possible and to provide information. The Institute aims to expand this further by organizing so-called “town hall meetings” and information evenings about the Equal Treatment Legislation and human rights in general. The Institute is also working on communication about human rights and what the Institute can mean for residents of the islands, through this website and through Facebook, where we will use short explanatory videos.