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Status of gays to be discussed
by The Daily Herald
Posted: Feb 28, 2006 13:47 UTC
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PHILIPSBURG - “If it turns out that the governments of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles systematically discriminate against people because of their sexual preference, then I will propose measures to be taken by the Kingdom Government,” said Dutch Minister of Kingdom Affairs Alexander Pechtold.
Pechtold recently answered questions of D66 member of the Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament Loesewies van der Laan on the matter. According to Pechtold, Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, based on the Charter of the Kingdom, have to see to the civil rights of all citizens.
“Discrimination cannot be combated if it’s not visible. Therefore it’s important that homosexuals who feel that they are being discriminated against oppose it by using the possibilities the law offers.”
According to Pechtold, strong interference by the Netherlands in this matter will only have an opposite effect. That’s why the minister wants to talk about the position of homosexuals in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles during his next visit.
Pechtold believes that for the situation of homosexuals in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles to better, they have to take the initiative and show the community that they can contribute in a positive way.
The discussion about homosexuals was stirred up after a Dutch homosexual couple tried to register as a married couple in Aruba. The Census Office in Aruba denied them the possibility to do so.
The Joint Court of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba ruled that the couple had a right to demand to be register as married. The Government of Aruba appealed the verdict. The Supreme Court hasn’t reached a decision yet.
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