Supreme Court confirms right to same-sex marriage in Aruba and Curaçao

On Friday 12 July, the Dutch Supreme Court confirmed that the laws of Aruba and Curaçao on marriage are not applicable in so far as they exclude same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, marking an important victory for human rights in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As a result of this landmark ruling, same-sex couples on Curaçao and Aruba can now marry, ensuring their equal rights.

Our Supreme Court litigation team of Freerk Vermeulen, David den Blaauwen and Aalt Colenbrander, together with Dutch Caribbean lawyers David Wever and Mirto Murray, successfully represented Human Rights Caribbean Foundation, Fundacion Orguyo Aruba and two same-sex couples pro bono.

“This impactful decision will not only improve the rights of same-sex couples living in Aruba and Curaçao, but will potentially also set an example for similar court cases around the world.”
– Freerk Vermeulen, lead partner of the NautaDutilh team

“We are very pleased that the Supreme Court has confirmed the equal rights of same-sex couples”, says Freerk Vermeulen, lead partner of the NautaDutilh team. “For decades, same-sex couples in Aruba and Curaçao have suffered unjustifiable discrimination. In 2022 the Court of Appeal already decided that marriage should be accessible for same-sex couples and this is now confirmed by the Supreme Court. This impactful decision will not only improve the rights of same-sex couples living in Aruba and Curaçao, but will potentially also set an example for similar court cases around the world”.

Source: NautaDutilh