Het Nederlands Juristen Comité voor de Mensenrechten (NJCM) trekt deze dagen aan de bel bij ‘het VN-Comité voor economische, sociale en culturele rechten (CESCR). Op 1 en 2 juni 2017 bespreekt het Comité de naleving van deze rechten door de vier landen van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden. Dit gebeurt in een sessie met een delegatie van de Nederlandse regering.’ Eens in de zoveel tijd vinden dit soort overleggen plaats. Regelmatig heeft SMOC aangegeven dat de Isla-problematiek in feite ook een mensenrechtenprobleem is. Het NJCM onderkent dit, zoveel blijkt uit het citaat van hieronder. Hoe gaan de Nederlandse regering en de CESCR hierop antwoorden? De tijd zal het leren, maar vaststaat dat de Tweede Kamer in 2016 de schending van genoemde mensenrechten politiek heeft vastgesteld. Lees het hele document van het NJCM hier: NJCM_JointNGO_CESCR_Parallel-Report-2016.
Right to Health, Curaçao (ISLA Refinery)(& art. 6 ICESCR)
The submitting parties are pleased to note that in the Sixth Periodic Report the Dutch government reaffirmed its commitment to take steps to promote the right to work in Curacao, for example by agreeing protocols with major companies on the island such as the ISLA Refinery.208 However, the Dutch government does not address the environmental and possibly work place related health issues with regard to ISLA Refinery. In particular, major newspapers have covered the severe pollution emanating from this (Venezuelan-owned) refinery, in great excess of Dutch environmental standards, i.e. reportedly up to more than 15 times acceptable emission standards.209 Actually, in 2010, the Joint Court of Justice already decided that ISLA is obliged to limit its contribution to the emission for sulfur dioxide, which it currently consistently exceeds.210 However, this is not enforced. Over the past year, the Dutch Parliament has pressured the government for concerted action, since new problems have emerged, referring to the great threats to health (eg asthma, cancer) and life of inhabitants. In February 2016, Dutch Parliament adopted a motion that condemns the poor governance on the Island of this issue, and requires the Dutch government to ensure that pollution is maximally reduced within three months,211 Yet, considering that the costs of effective adaption are likely very high, the question is what efforts will be truly undertaken to secure the right to health of Curacao inhabitants.212
Recommendation 44: The submitting parties recommend the Committee to ask the Dutch government what concrete measures it is taking to ensure that the right to health is guaranteed for the citizens of Curacao, especially protection against harmful substances in and out of the workplace.