In 2018, Human Rights Caribbean (HRC) was founded in response to the Venezuelan refugee crisis and to support Venezuelan boat refugees. Curaçao was overwhelmed by people fleeing the crisis in the South American country, and many found themselves in inhumane conditions. These migrants were highly vulnerable to exploitation and human trafficking, with many women being forced into sex work.

It is estimated that between 16,000 and 21,000 Venezuelans arrived in search of a better life, but many ended up in hopeless situations. They were not allowed to work and were often only able to find low-paid jobs with no protection. Even those with UN refugee status were sometimes detained and threatened with deportation. Although the UNHCR urged the Curaçaoan government to ensure that those fleeing persecution and violence could safely and effectively access protection, this was not the reality. The fundamental human rights of these refugees were being violated.

The immediate trigger for HRC’s founding was a tragic incident in January 2018. A boat carrying 34 Venezuelan refugees crashed against the rocks. Some passengers reached the shore after hours of swimming and struggling against the waves, while others drowned. On the morning of January 10, four bodies were found at Koraal Tabak, with a fifth recovered a few days later. Only 19 people survived the disaster. This incident highlighted the urgent need for an organization dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable.

In 2020, Janice Tjon Sien Kie, our chairperson, took the initiative to advocate for the rights of the LGBTI+ community by launching a legal case against the government of Curaçao. There was no indication that the government would guarantee these rights on its own. As a result, HRC’s statutes were amended to become more inclusive, enabling the foundation to file the lawsuit. This step ultimately led to greater legal certainty for the LGBTI+ community, as civil marriage was opened to same-sex couples. The court ruled that denying marriage rights to same-sex couples constituted a form of discrimination. Everyone deserves the right to marry the person they love—just as heterosexual couples do.