Political changes within the Kingdom of the Netherlands have led to fierce and violent protests against the Netherlands in general and against Dutch inhabitants of European origin in particular. At the end of last week, a group of radical demonstrators attacked a café on the island of Curaçao - one of the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean - known to be patronised by Dutch students.
In other incidents at other locations, cars were overturned and stones were thrown. One person, a white resident of Curaçao, was seriously injured. The violence followed a day of angry demonstrations against increased Dutch influence on the island's finances.
Curaçao. Photo: Errol Bodie
In exchange for wiping out debts of 2.2 billion euros owned by the Netherlands Antilles, the Dutch government is demanding that it be given more of a say in judicial matters and the maintenance of law and order. It wants to do this to guarantee reliable, open government and to reduce corruption and political favouritism.
Changes postponed
The Netherlands Antilles as an entity is scheduled to disappear soon. Curaçao and Sint-Maarten are set to become autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while the three other, smaller islands of the group will attach themselves to the Netherlands. But the political alterations involved have proved so complex that the dissolution date has been postponed twice and is now scheduled for the beginning of 2010.
The business community, the tourist sector and the silent majority are all behind the planned changes. But the political margins involved are narrow, and in the Island Council on Curaçao, there is substantial resistance to the increased influence of the Netherlands on the island's affairs. The opposition sees this as re-colonisation and is reproaching the government for selling off Curaçao's autonomy for mere cash.
Social tensions
But while the decision-making machinery rumbles on and the coalition holds the ranks closed, the opposition is growing more and more frustrated over the break up. The tone is hardening and the rising price of fuel and food is only helping to increase social tensions. Curaçao is witnessing a large divide between rich and poor. In an advert in which the opposition calls on the population to oppose the changes, the targets are clearly Dutch citizens of European descent. ‘Curaçao belongs to us and not to the Makambas (Dutch),' it says.
Melting pot
Curaçao's society is a melting pot of races. It's also a tolerant society, and it contains latent racial differences as well. The fanning of such differences has been condemned everywhere, especially after the attack on the café. On a small island with just 150,000 inhabitants, such racial violence has a huge impact. People are scared of the possible international consequences, especially now the island's economic outlook and tourist trade are looking up.
The national and island governments have announced a policy of zero tolerance for such violence and police have been ordered to clamp down hard on even the smallest disturbance at any subsequent demonstrations. The bounds of democracy, they say, have been reached and racism will not be tolerated.
European Dutch
And the European Dutch? They don't have to worry for their safety, says the Antillean Minister of Justice, David Dick. Together with the mayor of Curaçao, Lisa Dindial, he emphasizes that the unrest is due to a small kernel of militant demonstrators who have seized the limelight. Both politicians are appealing strongly to the political leaders to keep their supporters in check. And Mr Dick finishes by saying:
"It's a small group protesting. And to attract attention, they're using illegitimate means, such as racist expressions. Given the fact that the group is getting smaller and that we are now prepared to come down on it with a firm hand, I expect [the protests] to come to an end fairly soon."
*RNW translation (ng)
Tags: Curaçao, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Makambas, melting pot , Netherlands Antilles, violence