| ARUBA Aruba Aruba (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Joined United Nations: 10 December 1945 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 04/16/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Oranjestad
103,065
note: estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers,
as well as a revision of 1985-1999 migration estimates from outmigration to immigration,
which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000
census (July 2009 est.)
note: estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers,
as well as a revision of 1985-1999 migration estimates from outmigration to immigration,
which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000
census (July 2009 est.)
Beatrix of The Netherlands
Queen since 30 April 1980
Queen since 30 April 1980
The monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a
six-year term by the monarch
Next scheduled election: None
six-year term by the monarch
Next scheduled election: None
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Michiel Godfried "Mike" Eman
Prime Minister since 30 October 2009
Prime Minister since 30 October 2009
Prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten
for four-year terms election last held: 25 September 2009
Next scheduled election: September 2013
for four-year terms election last held: 25 September 2009
Next scheduled election: September 2013
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
| RELIGIONS |
Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Parliamentary democracy; no administrative division. Member country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in
internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and
foreign affairs Legal system is based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Executive: Monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and
deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 2005 (next to be held September
2009)
Legislative: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year
terms)
elections: last held 25 September 2009 (next to be held September 2013)
Judicial: Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch)
internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and
foreign affairs Legal system is based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Executive: Monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and
deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 2005 (next to be held September
2009)
Legislative: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year
terms)
elections: last held 25 September 2009 (next to be held September 2013)
Judicial: Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch)
| LANGUAGES |
Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
| BRIEF HISTORY |
Aruba's first inhabitants were the Caquetios Indians from the Arawak tribe, who migrated there from Venezuela to
escape attacks by the Caribs. Fragments of the earliest known Indian settlements date back to about 1,000 A.D. Due
to Aruba's mostly distant location from other Caribbean islands and strong currents in the sea which made canoe travel
to the other islands difficult, the Caquetios remained more tied to South America than the Caribbean. Spanish explorer
Alonso de Ojeda is regarded as the first European to arrive in about 1499. Although he established a colony there, it
never amounted to much. Unlike many other Caribbean islands, no plantation society evolved on Aruba. Instead, the
Spanish sent many Caquetios to Hispaniola, where they were enslaved in the mines. In 1636, Aruba was acquired by
the Dutch and remained under their control for nearly two centuries. In 1805, during the Napoleonic wars, the British
briefly took control over the island, but it was returned to Dutch control in 1816. A 19th-century gold rush was
followed by prosperity brought on by first the opening of a crude oil transshippment facility in 1924 and then in 1928
with the opening of an oil refinery. This was the Lago Oil & Transport Co. Ltd. a 100% owned subsidiary of Standard
Oil of New Jersey. The Lago refinery was located on the east end of the island and on the west end Royal Dutch Shell
had a small refinery, the Eagle Refinery which closed soon after World War II. The last decades of the 20th century
saw a boom in the tourism industry, which became Aruba's primary industry when the refinery closed in 1985. Because
of the focus on tourism and the number of resorts on the island, Arubans enjoy a very low unemployment rate. Aruba is
given the reputation as the Las Vegas of the Caribbean. In 1986, Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles and
became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, under the Dutch crown. Movement
toward full independence was halted at Aruba's prerogative in 1990. Aruba has a mixture of people from South
America, Europe, the Far East, and other islands of the Caribbean. After a break in the coalition between the ruling
Arubaanse Volkspartij (AVP) and the Organisashon Liberal Arubano (OLA), the election of July 1998 was pushed
forward to December 1997. Unfortunately, the results were unclear, with votes equally divided between the People's
Electoral Movement Party (MEP), the AVP, and the OLA. After negotiations failed to unite the MEP and AVP, a new
coalition between the AVP and OLA formed, which forced the MEP to be the opposition. Four years later in
September 2001, the opposition MEP won a decisive victory in a free election, taking 12 of 21 seats to form Aruba's
first one-party government. Due to its small margin of majority status, the MEP has left open the possibility of a future
coalition partner.
Source: Wikipedia History of Aruba
escape attacks by the Caribs. Fragments of the earliest known Indian settlements date back to about 1,000 A.D. Due
to Aruba's mostly distant location from other Caribbean islands and strong currents in the sea which made canoe travel
to the other islands difficult, the Caquetios remained more tied to South America than the Caribbean. Spanish explorer
Alonso de Ojeda is regarded as the first European to arrive in about 1499. Although he established a colony there, it
never amounted to much. Unlike many other Caribbean islands, no plantation society evolved on Aruba. Instead, the
Spanish sent many Caquetios to Hispaniola, where they were enslaved in the mines. In 1636, Aruba was acquired by
the Dutch and remained under their control for nearly two centuries. In 1805, during the Napoleonic wars, the British
briefly took control over the island, but it was returned to Dutch control in 1816. A 19th-century gold rush was
followed by prosperity brought on by first the opening of a crude oil transshippment facility in 1924 and then in 1928
with the opening of an oil refinery. This was the Lago Oil & Transport Co. Ltd. a 100% owned subsidiary of Standard
Oil of New Jersey. The Lago refinery was located on the east end of the island and on the west end Royal Dutch Shell
had a small refinery, the Eagle Refinery which closed soon after World War II. The last decades of the 20th century
saw a boom in the tourism industry, which became Aruba's primary industry when the refinery closed in 1985. Because
of the focus on tourism and the number of resorts on the island, Arubans enjoy a very low unemployment rate. Aruba is
given the reputation as the Las Vegas of the Caribbean. In 1986, Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles and
became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, under the Dutch crown. Movement
toward full independence was halted at Aruba's prerogative in 1990. Aruba has a mixture of people from South
America, Europe, the Far East, and other islands of the Caribbean. After a break in the coalition between the ruling
Arubaanse Volkspartij (AVP) and the Organisashon Liberal Arubano (OLA), the election of July 1998 was pushed
forward to December 1997. Unfortunately, the results were unclear, with votes equally divided between the People's
Electoral Movement Party (MEP), the AVP, and the OLA. After negotiations failed to unite the MEP and AVP, a new
coalition between the AVP and OLA formed, which forced the MEP to be the opposition. Four years later in
September 2001, the opposition MEP won a decisive victory in a free election, taking 12 of 21 seats to form Aruba's
first one-party government. Due to its small margin of majority status, the MEP has left open the possibility of a future
coalition partner.
Source: Wikipedia History of Aruba
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also
important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other
activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to
boom, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the country's oil refinery reopened in 1993 providing a
major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly
following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season, and hotel
occupancy in 2004 averaged 80% compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The government has made
cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Aruba)
important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other
activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to
boom, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the country's oil refinery reopened in 1993 providing a
major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly
following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season, and hotel
occupancy in 2004 averaged 80% compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The government has made
cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Aruba)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
Support declined for Nelson Obuder's MEP party across the island. The MEP, which is known as the "yellow party",
captured its traditional stronghold of Santa Cruz, as well as precincts in portions of Savaneta and Paradera. Support for
the MEP ultimately dropped from eleven to eight seats in the Estates. Nelson's MEP party received a total of 19,812
votes nationwide, which was 6,673 votes less than the winning AVP.
The AVP, led by Mike Eman, claimed 48% of the vote and twelve seats in the Estates, making Eman the 5th Prime
Minister-Elect of Aruba with an absolute majority of 3 seats in the 21 seat House. The MEP won 36% of the vote and
eight seats, with the final seat being won by the Real Democracy Party.This means that Nelson Oduber, the
demissionary Prime Minister of Aruba, has lost control of the Estates for the first time in eight years.Eman arrived at the
AVP party headquarters in Oranjestad, where he was greeted by approximately 2,000 supporters dressed in green,
the color of the AVP. The victory was marked by AVP supporters letting off fireworks and unfurling flags in the green
livery of the party. In his speech, Eman thanked Aruba's Latino and Haitian communities.The winning party of an
Aruban election traditionally celebrates with a parade following the election.
Oduber blamed the MEP's defeat on Dutch interference in Aruba's affairs, in particular referring to a recent
announcement that the Dutch authorities would commence an investigation into corruption on the island.[6][7] Oduder
also singled out Valero Energy CEO Bill Klesse, accusing him of take sides in the election against the MEP by closing
the refinery shortly before the election took place. In a speech carried only on Aruban Channel 22, Oduber did not
congratulate the winning AVP. Instead, he said that the AVP should work to fulfill its "unreal promise" to Arubans.
In some respects, the 2009 election mirrored the 1985 election. In 1985, the oil refinery in San Nicholas had also
closed down shortly before the election, costing the ruling party seats in the Estates.
Source: Wikipedia Politics of Aruba
captured its traditional stronghold of Santa Cruz, as well as precincts in portions of Savaneta and Paradera. Support for
the MEP ultimately dropped from eleven to eight seats in the Estates. Nelson's MEP party received a total of 19,812
votes nationwide, which was 6,673 votes less than the winning AVP.
The AVP, led by Mike Eman, claimed 48% of the vote and twelve seats in the Estates, making Eman the 5th Prime
Minister-Elect of Aruba with an absolute majority of 3 seats in the 21 seat House. The MEP won 36% of the vote and
eight seats, with the final seat being won by the Real Democracy Party.This means that Nelson Oduber, the
demissionary Prime Minister of Aruba, has lost control of the Estates for the first time in eight years.Eman arrived at the
AVP party headquarters in Oranjestad, where he was greeted by approximately 2,000 supporters dressed in green,
the color of the AVP. The victory was marked by AVP supporters letting off fireworks and unfurling flags in the green
livery of the party. In his speech, Eman thanked Aruba's Latino and Haitian communities.The winning party of an
Aruban election traditionally celebrates with a parade following the election.
Oduber blamed the MEP's defeat on Dutch interference in Aruba's affairs, in particular referring to a recent
announcement that the Dutch authorities would commence an investigation into corruption on the island.[6][7] Oduder
also singled out Valero Energy CEO Bill Klesse, accusing him of take sides in the election against the MEP by closing
the refinery shortly before the election took place. In a speech carried only on Aruban Channel 22, Oduber did not
congratulate the winning AVP. Instead, he said that the AVP should work to fulfill its "unreal promise" to Arubans.
In some respects, the 2009 election mirrored the 1985 election. In 1985, the oil refinery in San Nicholas had also
closed down shortly before the election, costing the ruling party seats in the Estates.
Source: Wikipedia Politics of Aruba
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
None reported.
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDP) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high
percentage of population consumes cocaine
percentage of population consumes cocaine
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Netherlands (Includes Aruba and Netherland Antilles)
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba are largely autonomous, except for foreign policy and defense, which are "Kingdom matters."
They have unicameral parliamentary systems. The Netherlands Antilles held free and fair parliamentary elections in 2006, and Aruba
did so on September 25, 2009. The Kingdom (the term commonly used to designate the governance of all of the territories) is
required, according to its charter, to safeguard fundamental human rights and freedoms, good governance, legal certainty, and the
soundness of administration in all of the territories.
In Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, prison conditions remained substandard in some respects and lengthy pretrial detention was a
problem, although authorities took a number of measures to reduce it. Trafficking was a problem in the Netherlands Antilles
Click here to read more »
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba are largely autonomous, except for foreign policy and defense, which are "Kingdom matters."
They have unicameral parliamentary systems. The Netherlands Antilles held free and fair parliamentary elections in 2006, and Aruba
did so on September 25, 2009. The Kingdom (the term commonly used to designate the governance of all of the territories) is
required, according to its charter, to safeguard fundamental human rights and freedoms, good governance, legal certainty, and the
soundness of administration in all of the territories.
In Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, prison conditions remained substandard in some respects and lengthy pretrial detention was a
problem, although authorities took a number of measures to reduce it. Trafficking was a problem in the Netherlands Antilles
Click here to read more »
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD EXAMINES REPORT OF THE NETHERLANDS, INCLUDING
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES AND ARUBA
Committee on the Rights of the Child
15 January 2009
The Committee on the Rights of the Child today reviewed the third periodic report of the Netherlands, including Aruba and the
Netherlands Antilles, on how that country is implementing the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Andre Rouvoet, Minister for Youth and Families of the Netherlands, introducing the report of the Netherlands, began by noting that
the Netherlands now had a Minister for Youth and Families, a post which he was the first to hold, which underlined the importance
the Government attached to a specific policy for children, young people and families. Indeed, the constructive recommendations
the Committee had made following its review of the Netherlands second periodic report in 2005 had had a major impact on the
development of the child and youth policy in the Netherlands. The Committee's recommendation to adopt a "comprehensive national
plan of action for children" had been implemented, and preparations were currently under way for Dutch Parliament to discuss a
bill to amend the current National Ombudsman Act in the Netherlands, which would enable Parliament to appoint an ombudsman
for children. In addition, a statutory ban on the use of violence in child rearing had been laid down in Dutch legislation. The
Netherlands would ratify the second Optional Protocol to the Convention (Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in
armed conflict) either this month or the next.
Presenting the report by the Netherlands Antilles, Omaryra Leeflang, Minister of Education, Sport and Culture of the Netherlands
Antilles, said the priority the Government attached to youth policy was embodied in the "Delta plan for education and youth", which
had the ambition to reach and keep track of all children and youngsters and intervene where needed, in order to prevent them from
dropping out of school. Moreover, by 2008 all legislation regarding primary, secondary and vocational education had been revised
including improvements such as the obligation of schools to report child abuse and the right of parents to choose the instruction
language of their child.
Introducing the report of Aruba, Angelique R. Peterson, Senior Legal Adviser of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Aruba, said
that a draft revised criminal code had now been finalized which would significantly increase the legal protection for children by
further extending and tightening the criminalization of various acts harmful to children. The new anti-discrimination provisions
would also increase the protection provided by the law for children with disabilities. Other developments highlighted included the
establishment of the Counselling and Reporting Centre on Child Abuse in 2005.
Click here to read more »
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES AND ARUBA
Committee on the Rights of the Child
15 January 2009
The Committee on the Rights of the Child today reviewed the third periodic report of the Netherlands, including Aruba and the
Netherlands Antilles, on how that country is implementing the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Andre Rouvoet, Minister for Youth and Families of the Netherlands, introducing the report of the Netherlands, began by noting that
the Netherlands now had a Minister for Youth and Families, a post which he was the first to hold, which underlined the importance
the Government attached to a specific policy for children, young people and families. Indeed, the constructive recommendations
the Committee had made following its review of the Netherlands second periodic report in 2005 had had a major impact on the
development of the child and youth policy in the Netherlands. The Committee's recommendation to adopt a "comprehensive national
plan of action for children" had been implemented, and preparations were currently under way for Dutch Parliament to discuss a
bill to amend the current National Ombudsman Act in the Netherlands, which would enable Parliament to appoint an ombudsman
for children. In addition, a statutory ban on the use of violence in child rearing had been laid down in Dutch legislation. The
Netherlands would ratify the second Optional Protocol to the Convention (Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in
armed conflict) either this month or the next.
Presenting the report by the Netherlands Antilles, Omaryra Leeflang, Minister of Education, Sport and Culture of the Netherlands
Antilles, said the priority the Government attached to youth policy was embodied in the "Delta plan for education and youth", which
had the ambition to reach and keep track of all children and youngsters and intervene where needed, in order to prevent them from
dropping out of school. Moreover, by 2008 all legislation regarding primary, secondary and vocational education had been revised
including improvements such as the obligation of schools to report child abuse and the right of parents to choose the instruction
language of their child.
Introducing the report of Aruba, Angelique R. Peterson, Senior Legal Adviser of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Aruba, said
that a draft revised criminal code had now been finalized which would significantly increase the legal protection for children by
further extending and tightening the criminalization of various acts harmful to children. The new anti-discrimination provisions
would also increase the protection provided by the law for children with disabilities. Other developments highlighted included the
establishment of the Counselling and Reporting Centre on Child Abuse in 2005.
Click here to read more »
No reports from Freedom House mentioning Aruba after exhaustive search of their data base. Please forward any
information you may have regarding Freedom House efforts on behalf of Aruba to the Pax Gaea World Report editor at
the link below.
Contact the editor »
information you may have regarding Freedom House efforts on behalf of Aruba to the Pax Gaea World Report editor at
the link below.
Contact the editor »
Dr. A. Mathew Announces Boycott Of Aruba
Proposed boycott due to Human Rights Violations
For Immediate Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I./EWORLDWIRE/Jan. 29, 2004 --- The momentum is building and the numbers are increasing as a boycott on
the popular island tourist destination, Aruba, is getting underway.
Dr. A. Mathew, the wife of Eduardo Mathew, a man whom many deem is being held in prison with no justifiable or legal grounds,
is now spearheading an effort to boycott Aruba in hopes of cutting off Aruba's main industry, tourism. It is alleged that the current
government of Aruba has been implicated in several accounts of barbaric and torturous treatment carried out on black people. As
educated Americans, we just simply cannot accept this type of behavior.
The Minister of Justice, Mr. Rudy Croes and the director of the prison, Mr. F Maduro prolonged Mr. Mathew's detention under the
same inhumane and barbaric circumstances that he has been in for the past 2 years despite repeated pleas for help and resolution by
Mr. Mathew, his family and human rights organizations around the word including Amnesty International. His mental and physical
condition is deteriorating daily. This is a flagrant abuse of power and violation of international human rights standards.
Click here to read more »
Proposed boycott due to Human Rights Violations
For Immediate Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I./EWORLDWIRE/Jan. 29, 2004 --- The momentum is building and the numbers are increasing as a boycott on
the popular island tourist destination, Aruba, is getting underway.
Dr. A. Mathew, the wife of Eduardo Mathew, a man whom many deem is being held in prison with no justifiable or legal grounds,
is now spearheading an effort to boycott Aruba in hopes of cutting off Aruba's main industry, tourism. It is alleged that the current
government of Aruba has been implicated in several accounts of barbaric and torturous treatment carried out on black people. As
educated Americans, we just simply cannot accept this type of behavior.
The Minister of Justice, Mr. Rudy Croes and the director of the prison, Mr. F Maduro prolonged Mr. Mathew's detention under the
same inhumane and barbaric circumstances that he has been in for the past 2 years despite repeated pleas for help and resolution by
Mr. Mathew, his family and human rights organizations around the word including Amnesty International. His mental and physical
condition is deteriorating daily. This is a flagrant abuse of power and violation of international human rights standards.
Click here to read more »
Chronic Indifference
December 5, 2007
V. Findings
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fails to collect basic information to monitor immigrant detainees with HIV/AIDS,
has sub-standard policies and procedures for HIV/AIDS care and services, and inadequately supervises the care that is provided.
These policies are discussed in section VI below.
The consequence of these policies is sub-standard care. ICE fails to ensure that detainees with HIV/AIDS receive medical care that
reflects human rights standards, or best medical practice. Nor does the care provided comply with community, national, or
international standards for correctional health care. The statements of current and former immigrant detainees, set forth in detail
below, demonstrate delayed, inconsistent, and insufficient care as well as a failure to protect confidentiality for a vulnerable
population.
Juan L.
I didn't get the full dose every day.
-Juan L., a 45-year-old man from Aruba who spent five months in immigration detention in Virginia.
Juan L.[52] is a 45-year-old man from Aruba, a Netherlands territory. Juan served a sentence in federal prison until April 2005,
when he was transferred into ICE custody. He spent one month at the Federal Correctional Institution in Petersburg, Virginia, and
four months at the Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmville, Virginia. He was deported to Aruba and now lives in the Netherlands. His
wife, a US citizen, lives in Brooklyn, New York.
A carpenter by trade, Juan was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1987, when he was living and working in the Bronx. He began taking
anti-retroviral medication while in federal prison, and the prison medical staff gave him a month's supply of his medication to take
with him when he was transferred to ICE custody. When he arrived at the Petersburg, Virginia facility the officers took his
medication away, and he was without medication for 4 days. After that, he received anti-retroviral medication but the delivery was
irregular. Juan told Human Rights Watch, "I didn't get the full dose every day."
Click here to read more»
December 5, 2007
V. Findings
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fails to collect basic information to monitor immigrant detainees with HIV/AIDS,
has sub-standard policies and procedures for HIV/AIDS care and services, and inadequately supervises the care that is provided.
These policies are discussed in section VI below.
The consequence of these policies is sub-standard care. ICE fails to ensure that detainees with HIV/AIDS receive medical care that
reflects human rights standards, or best medical practice. Nor does the care provided comply with community, national, or
international standards for correctional health care. The statements of current and former immigrant detainees, set forth in detail
below, demonstrate delayed, inconsistent, and insufficient care as well as a failure to protect confidentiality for a vulnerable
population.
Juan L.
I didn't get the full dose every day.
-Juan L., a 45-year-old man from Aruba who spent five months in immigration detention in Virginia.
Juan L.[52] is a 45-year-old man from Aruba, a Netherlands territory. Juan served a sentence in federal prison until April 2005,
when he was transferred into ICE custody. He spent one month at the Federal Correctional Institution in Petersburg, Virginia, and
four months at the Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmville, Virginia. He was deported to Aruba and now lives in the Netherlands. His
wife, a US citizen, lives in Brooklyn, New York.
A carpenter by trade, Juan was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1987, when he was living and working in the Bronx. He began taking
anti-retroviral medication while in federal prison, and the prison medical staff gave him a month's supply of his medication to take
with him when he was transferred to ICE custody. When he arrived at the Petersburg, Virginia facility the officers took his
medication away, and he was without medication for 4 days. After that, he received anti-retroviral medication but the delivery was
irregular. Juan told Human Rights Watch, "I didn't get the full dose every day."
Click here to read more»
Michelle Hooyboer-Winklaar
Minister of Economic Affairs, Social Affairs and Culture
Head of Delegation
January 27, 2010
45th session Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
Just three short months ago I became Minister of Economic, Social and Cultural Affairs of Aruba, the smallest legal entity within
the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It measures no more than 181 km2, and lies about 20 minutes flying time from the South
American mainland. Apart from our relatively young Constitution (1986), which is based on the principal International Human
Rights instruments, the Convention and its Optional Protocol provide an important legal framework for guaranteeing the rights of
the approximately 56,000 women living on our island.
It should also form the basis for the further development of a national gender policy. Let me start by saying that we acknowledge
that progress in that area has not been what we hoped for. We informed you in our report that Social Affairs Department would
start developing a gender policy. Unfortunately due to a number of factors, the development of a coordinated government policy
has been slow.
However, this does not mean that women in Aruba have not made significant progress in many fields over the recent decade. Since
the writing of the present report elections have taken place in Aruba and a new Cabinet took office on November 1st, 2009. I am
proud to say that women played an important role in the electoral process and its outcome. The number of seats in Parliament held
by women is presently 7 out of 21. At the legislative level, senior officials and female managers comprise 40.3 percent of the total
of this group. Also in the area of educational achievement, women are doing better than men.
Notwithstanding the above, we realize and recognize that much still needs to be done and that there are groups that need specific
attention when it comes to their empowerment and the protection and promotion of their rights.
One of the first priorities of our new government is to strengthen the position of the most vulnerable groups in our society. We feel
that economic development and social policy should go hand in hand, and it was therefore logical that these two areas fall under 1
minister, and I have the good fortune of becoming that minister. Due to a number of socio-economic factors, the real income of
many families has dropped substantially in recent years. The result being that Women especially have felt the impact of both the
global economic crisis and local repercussions that have had a multiplying negative impact on things such as income and jobs,
crime rate, healthcare and education.
Click here to read more »
Minister of Economic Affairs, Social Affairs and Culture
Head of Delegation
January 27, 2010
45th session Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
Just three short months ago I became Minister of Economic, Social and Cultural Affairs of Aruba, the smallest legal entity within
the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It measures no more than 181 km2, and lies about 20 minutes flying time from the South
American mainland. Apart from our relatively young Constitution (1986), which is based on the principal International Human
Rights instruments, the Convention and its Optional Protocol provide an important legal framework for guaranteeing the rights of
the approximately 56,000 women living on our island.
It should also form the basis for the further development of a national gender policy. Let me start by saying that we acknowledge
that progress in that area has not been what we hoped for. We informed you in our report that Social Affairs Department would
start developing a gender policy. Unfortunately due to a number of factors, the development of a coordinated government policy
has been slow.
However, this does not mean that women in Aruba have not made significant progress in many fields over the recent decade. Since
the writing of the present report elections have taken place in Aruba and a new Cabinet took office on November 1st, 2009. I am
proud to say that women played an important role in the electoral process and its outcome. The number of seats in Parliament held
by women is presently 7 out of 21. At the legislative level, senior officials and female managers comprise 40.3 percent of the total
of this group. Also in the area of educational achievement, women are doing better than men.
Notwithstanding the above, we realize and recognize that much still needs to be done and that there are groups that need specific
attention when it comes to their empowerment and the protection and promotion of their rights.
One of the first priorities of our new government is to strengthen the position of the most vulnerable groups in our society. We feel
that economic development and social policy should go hand in hand, and it was therefore logical that these two areas fall under 1
minister, and I have the good fortune of becoming that minister. Due to a number of socio-economic factors, the real income of
many families has dropped substantially in recent years. The result being that Women especially have felt the impact of both the
global economic crisis and local repercussions that have had a multiplying negative impact on things such as income and jobs,
crime rate, healthcare and education.
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3 September 2009
Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination against Women
Fifth periodic report of States parties
Netherlands (Aruba)*
Introduction
The present report is submitted in pursuance of article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination
against Women and in accordance with the guidelines of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. It was
prepared by the intergovernmental Aruban Human Rights Committee.
This fifth periodic report on Aruba covers the period from September 2004 to August 2008 and should be read in conjunction with
previous reports submitted by Aruba. Subjects which were dealt with in the previous reports and which have remained unchanged
during the period covered by this report are not commented upon. The present report takes into consideration the recommendations
made by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women during the consideration of Aruba’s fourth periodic
report in January 2007.
The human rights coordination centre has two tasks: (1) to draw attention to and raise awareness of equal rights of citizens, with
special attention for socially vulnerable groups, such as women and children, and (2) to promote the implementation of human rights
conventions, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).The government endorsed the recommendations made by the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination in 2007 and asked the coordination centre of the Social Affairs Department to coordinate a
comprehensive approach to implementing them.
The coordination centre is actively engaged in cultivating a process aimed at increasing awareness of human rights, including the
rights of women, in Aruban society. In 2007 a training programme was launched for staff of the Social Affairs Department. There
are plans to expand the programme to provide training at other government ministries and NGOs. Four courses were given in 2007
and 2008, and the fifth will be held in March/April 2009. The courses are interactive and take place over four half-days.
The thought behind these courses is that gender equality cannot be achieved through a sectoral approach. Gender must be
integrated into a policy for all sectors and ministries. This process of raising awareness among the civil servants of Aruba is a
springboard for implementing the gender policy.
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Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination against Women
Fifth periodic report of States parties
Netherlands (Aruba)*
Introduction
The present report is submitted in pursuance of article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination
against Women and in accordance with the guidelines of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. It was
prepared by the intergovernmental Aruban Human Rights Committee.
This fifth periodic report on Aruba covers the period from September 2004 to August 2008 and should be read in conjunction with
previous reports submitted by Aruba. Subjects which were dealt with in the previous reports and which have remained unchanged
during the period covered by this report are not commented upon. The present report takes into consideration the recommendations
made by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women during the consideration of Aruba’s fourth periodic
report in January 2007.
The human rights coordination centre has two tasks: (1) to draw attention to and raise awareness of equal rights of citizens, with
special attention for socially vulnerable groups, such as women and children, and (2) to promote the implementation of human rights
conventions, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).The government endorsed the recommendations made by the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination in 2007 and asked the coordination centre of the Social Affairs Department to coordinate a
comprehensive approach to implementing them.
The coordination centre is actively engaged in cultivating a process aimed at increasing awareness of human rights, including the
rights of women, in Aruban society. In 2007 a training programme was launched for staff of the Social Affairs Department. There
are plans to expand the programme to provide training at other government ministries and NGOs. Four courses were given in 2007
and 2008, and the fifth will be held in March/April 2009. The courses are interactive and take place over four half-days.
The thought behind these courses is that gender equality cannot be achieved through a sectoral approach. Gender must be
integrated into a policy for all sectors and ministries. This process of raising awareness among the civil servants of Aruba is a
springboard for implementing the gender policy.
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Response and recommendations for the Child Rights Commission report on the Netherlands
introduced on 3-2-2009
The Committee on the Rights of the Child gives her reaction to the report on the Netherlands.
Among follow-up measures undertaken and progress achieved following its review of the third periodic report of the Netherlands,
which included reports by the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the Committee noted with appreciation the entry into force of new
legislation, such as the Equal Treatment Act 2003, the Youth Care Act 2005 and the Childcare Act 2005. With regard to Aruba, it
noted the establishment of a counselling and reporting centre on child abuse in August 2005, and the amendment of the Criminal
Code of Aruba criminalizing the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. Also noted with appreciation was that the
Netherlands had ratified or acceded to a number of international instruments that would have an affect on children and their rights,
including the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, in 2004, and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and
Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, in 2005, as well as the European Framework Convention for the
Protection of National Minorities, in 2005.
The Committee reiterated its concern that Aruba still had not introduced compulsory education and regretted that there was no
action plan for children there. It was also concerned that there were no human rights institutions nor Ombudsmen for the
Netherlands Antilles or Aruba. While welcoming allocation of extra resources for the identification and support of families and
children at risk in the Netherlands, the Committee was concerned at the lack of resources in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, in
particular for children with disabilities. Noting that corporal punishment in the home was not prohibited in Aruba, and that it was
still being used at schools, daycare centres and at home in the Netherlands Antilles, the Committee recommended that the
Netherlands prohibit corporal punishment by law, enforce the prohibition in all settings, and conduct awareness-raising campaigns
and parenting education programmes to ensure that alternative forms of discipline were used. Further concerns were the lack of
sufficient family-based services to ensure early intervention and prevention at the local level, and the time children and young
persons were without adequate help. The Committee recommended that the Netherlands conduct comprehensive research on the
reasons for the long waiting lists for children to receive services, and to involve the families more in preventing and resolving their
problems. Moreover, youth care still focused largely on placing children in residential institutions, which also had long waiting lists,
and there were frequent changes of placements, as well as a lack of a permanent social worker taking continuous care of children
in need of care.
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introduced on 3-2-2009
The Committee on the Rights of the Child gives her reaction to the report on the Netherlands.
Among follow-up measures undertaken and progress achieved following its review of the third periodic report of the Netherlands,
which included reports by the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the Committee noted with appreciation the entry into force of new
legislation, such as the Equal Treatment Act 2003, the Youth Care Act 2005 and the Childcare Act 2005. With regard to Aruba, it
noted the establishment of a counselling and reporting centre on child abuse in August 2005, and the amendment of the Criminal
Code of Aruba criminalizing the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. Also noted with appreciation was that the
Netherlands had ratified or acceded to a number of international instruments that would have an affect on children and their rights,
including the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, in 2004, and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and
Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, in 2005, as well as the European Framework Convention for the
Protection of National Minorities, in 2005.
The Committee reiterated its concern that Aruba still had not introduced compulsory education and regretted that there was no
action plan for children there. It was also concerned that there were no human rights institutions nor Ombudsmen for the
Netherlands Antilles or Aruba. While welcoming allocation of extra resources for the identification and support of families and
children at risk in the Netherlands, the Committee was concerned at the lack of resources in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, in
particular for children with disabilities. Noting that corporal punishment in the home was not prohibited in Aruba, and that it was
still being used at schools, daycare centres and at home in the Netherlands Antilles, the Committee recommended that the
Netherlands prohibit corporal punishment by law, enforce the prohibition in all settings, and conduct awareness-raising campaigns
and parenting education programmes to ensure that alternative forms of discipline were used. Further concerns were the lack of
sufficient family-based services to ensure early intervention and prevention at the local level, and the time children and young
persons were without adequate help. The Committee recommended that the Netherlands conduct comprehensive research on the
reasons for the long waiting lists for children to receive services, and to involve the families more in preventing and resolving their
problems. Moreover, youth care still focused largely on placing children in residential institutions, which also had long waiting lists,
and there were frequent changes of placements, as well as a lack of a permanent social worker taking continuous care of children
in need of care.
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Represented by
Fredris Refunjol
Governor General since 11 May 2004
Fredris Refunjol
Governor General since 11 May 2004
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None reported.
Mike Eric de Meza
Vice Prime Minister since 30 October 2009
Vice Prime Minister since 30 October 2009
