Dear Editor,

  Spinning continuously and aimlessly in infinite space and held in constant position by precise gravitational forces is a speck of rock, which when viewed from miles above its surface appears to be spherical in shape. On this speck of rock, this dot, this wretched dungeon dwell approximately 7.5 billion primates who, having evolved over six million years, have now come to be taxonomically classified as humans.

  None of the rock’s human inhabitants consciously decided to sojourn on this massive accumulation of matter called earth. We (humans) were involuntarily catapulted into physical existence by the whims and desires of individuals who we became conscious of years after suffering the trauma of us been born.

  But now that we are here – on earth – albeit against our own volition and since we are unable to reverse the accident that got us here, continuing with our struggle for existence is the punishment we must endure for the tragedy of us been born. And more births there will be and so more trauma too until such time when there is a cataclysmic change in the earth’s capacity to sustain life further.

  But until such time, if and when there will be such a time, we or some among us will continue to wrestle with the cruelty of the thought of us humans giving birth to lives that have not consented to whether they are desirous of coming into physical existence. Following our birth, the consciousness we acquire of having to return at some point in the future to a pre-organic state of rest is so overwhelming for many that it would have been best for them not to have been born.

  So, for many, would life have been more bearable or even outright enjoyable if there existed a pre-birth awareness to consciously choose whether they cared to come into physical existence? Certainly, were we in possession of this knowledge that enables us to decide whether we wish to fall into time we would have been solely responsible for the consequences and circumstances that follow from us choosing to be birthed. But since to the best of our knowledge the fact of our birth was an occurrence not decided upon by us, not even partially, how are we then to apportion responsibility for the circumstances that entail from the accident of us been born? Since the fact of our imposed participation in life was the choosing of others, how are we to resolve this ethical wrong that was committed against our person and without our approval?

  During the course of our brief existence and wanderings on planet earth, we are conditioned and educated to accept responsibility for our infractions, misfortunes, and fortunes, even though we never had and will continue to be denied the opportunity to choose whether we wish to partake in earthly existence. This could be a rather painful, regrettable, and at times unbearable way of being brought upon us by arbitrary pleasure-seeking individuals displaying a callous disregard and giving little or no consideration to the potential lifelong dread and misery their moment of ecstasy can have on the birth of life.

  It isn’t the fact of our birth – the act in and of itself – that is often debilitating for us but rather the consciousness of us having to endure and experience pointlessly all that follows from our birth up until the moment when the grave shuts up the stories of our days. We can examine all the pros as to why it would have been preferable to not have been born and still would not be able to alter the material fact that we were born – we must continue to suffer hitherto consequences that weren’t of our making. And even if we suppose hypothetically that as we continue to evolve we just might acquire the consciousness that allows us to become aware of our pre-physical form and whether we care for it to come into physical existence, how would this newly acquired consciousness shape our experiences on earth?

  We assume that in this state of pre-bodily consciousness we will be capable of deciding whether we are desirous of falling into time and acquiring a body as opposed to outsourcing the decision of our birth to individuals whose actions we are entirely at the mercy of. Since in this state of consciousness we would have decided freely and independently upon our coming into physical being, it would then be reasonable for us to be held absolutely accountable and responsible for our birth and all that follows during our stay here on earth.

Orlando Patterson

Through the media, Human Rights Defence Curaçao (HRDC) has taken note of the reports that the Minister of Justice has decided to “Responsibly Integrate”. This has led to quite a few reactions and questions from our human rights organization, especially from the undocumented, and especially from the side of Venezuelans, who have fled the dramatic and persistent crisis in their country.

  For years they have been asking for opportunities to live and work here on our island, in a fair and legal way. Various options were advocated: from temporary work and residence permits to a general amnesty.

  After years of neglect of the immigration issue and even violations of basic human rights of vulnerable migrants and refugees, the Curaçao Minister of Justice has now publicly opened a few days ago by announcing an “Integrashon responsable” (responsible integration). With this action he has raised great expectations in many about their chances of finally being able to be part of our society in freedom and no longer be at the mercy of the inhumane and repressive vagaries of the government.

  Unfortunately, it is questionable whether this decision will finally bring the justice and legal certainty that human rights defenders have been advocating for years, both locally and internationally. Is there really a well thought-out and transparent immigration policy or is it more of an old trick that has been announced more often in the past?

  The sudden announcement, which is not accompanied by a clear information campaign about what exactly the scheme entails, is causing a lot of unrest and confusion among people who are already struggling enough. HRDC wants to be able to provide clarity to pressing questions from our target group, such as:

  What will happen to the large group of people if it turns out that they cannot make use of this scheme because – unforeseen – they cannot meet the (as yet unclear) conditions?

  Is it known that migrants who rush to the official authorities after this announcement full of hope are being sent away with the reaction that they have not yet received instructions for implementation of this new policy?

  What happens to people who come forward because they believe they are eligible for this scheme, but who, in the opinion of the authorities, do not comply with it? Will they be detained, or will they still be registered in a government file?

  Which group benefits from the “Integrashon responsable”? Will it only be about attracting a select group of highly skilled migrants/wealthy people and will people from a different social class, without academic skills and with insufficient income be excluded?

  Has this policy been drawn up in such a way, in coordination with the other parts of the Kingdom, so that the Kingdom government does not again have to undergo painful treatment in international fora as the ultimate responsible for violations of human rights?

  In short, there still seems to be a little caveat. For HRDC and various cooperation partners, the question remains whether this means the migration policy of Curaçao that has been in the making for years or does this announcement of the Minister’s “Integrashon responsable” remain? The ball now lies with him to provide real clarity about what his new policy entails and what the procedures and other requirements are.

  HRDC finds the fact that while the Ministers tried to showcase their new policy line of opportunities for migrants in a church in Steenrijk, HRDC finds the umpteenth deportation flight (euphemistically referred to as repatriation flight) filled elsewhere on the island, namely at Hato Airport, with Venezuelans who were deported from the immigration barracks as criminals.

  HRDC urges the government to finally make progress in formulating and implementing a sound, inclusive and coherent migrant policy. In the post-COVID Curaçao society we can use the talents and strengths of bona fide and productive migrants, without distinction according to social class, colour, or gender.

Ieteke Witteveen

Director Human Rights Defence Curaçao

Dear Editor,

  There is a situation with the SZV that needs to be addressed. So, on behalf of all pensioners, let me just voice my opinion about the delay of the pension payment for February. The month-end of January was almost like Christmas, when SZV gave us a little raise together with a back-pay. Wonderful – not the real thing, because the pension should have been raised much higher, but as they say, “better something than nothing”

  The pension money from SZV is usually paid on time, on month-end, or I suppose when things are good with them, even before the end of the month. But, dear editor, the month-end of February has been a big disappointment. No money was sent to the banks or ATM machines for the pensioners. Furthermore, no reasonable explanation was even given to the pensioners that there would be delay in their pension payments for whatever reason in respect.

  Dear editor, my grievance is that this is absolutely not the way pensioners should be treated. Dear editor, these are difficult times we are living in. Many pensioners are depending on this little money, especially on month-end, as their only source of income to sustain them, pay their bills and food necessities.

  As pensioners, we have worked our time, and we have faithfully contributed, to the pension fund during all our years of labor. Now that we are “old and gray”, for some of us even enjoying the final stages of their lives, we should be treated with more dignity as citizens who have contributed, and done their part for the next generation to take over, and are now looking forward to our pension income to continue to meet our needs. Dear editor, it’s a shame!

  Some time ago last year, if I can recall, there was an article in the newspaper stating that AZV had lent the government 100 million guilders. So, if SZV has money to spare, then what could be the reason why the February pension couldn’t be paid out at the end of February? That money that was loaned to the government is the people’s money, and they should not be playing “Father Christmas” by just giving it out to other parties. And if they can do that, then they should have enough money to meet every month-end payment on time.

  So dear editor, what’s the delay? As I am writing this article today it’s already March 3. Many pensioners have to also pay their rent, because the landlords are knocking on their doors for their money. Yes, everybody want their money on time. I do hope management of SZV will take note of this article, understand the grievance of the pensioners, “pull up their socks”, and start doing things right.

Concerned pensioner

Name withheld at author's request.

Dear Editor,

  Governance in modern society requires an understanding of the complexity of that society. Legislators need to either have an understanding of a particular area of knowledge or they should be able to identify parties whose advice has the best knowledge base and who are the most trustworthy.

  No parliamentarian can have a full knowledge of every area of legislation.

  Some areas are more difficult than others and some are of a nature that it is essential to rely on specialists and the main function of a legislator is to select the best information for the country.

  Medicine is on the extreme end of the spectrum. In the area of public health the specialist from whom information should be requested is one who has not only done the six-year general medicine course which is followed by a two-year course in one of the many specializations within public health.

  When we hear parliamentarians in St. Maarten expressing views on the very specialized area of virus infection and immunology without any reference to research they have done, then one should be concerned about the quality of their input into the very expensive parliament deliberations and the quality of their decisions.

Robbie Ferron