On January 30, the Partido Patriotico Arubano (PPA) formally submitted a letter to the President of Parliament requesting a session to discuss the progress of the Rijkswet HOFA. Nearly eight months later, the request was finally acknowledged. Instead of following the proper parliamentary procedures as outlined in the Reglamento di Ordo, the session was bypassed, ignoring transparency and public discussion.
Recognizing the importance of the matter, the PPA took the lead by organizing a series of consultation rounds with business associations, labor unions, and various civic institutions. These interactive sessions, held between June and August, allowed stakeholders to express their concerns regarding the proposed law.
“When we saw that the government and coalition were preparing to travel to the Netherlands for IPKO meetings without consulting local institutions, PPA acted immediately,” said party leader Otmar Oduber. “We submitted a Minority Report and shared it both with the Dutch delegations and with relevant bodies in Aruba. To this day, PPA remains the only political party that has clearly outlined its position on paper regarding the Rijkswet HOFA.”
While some parties have followed PPA’s initiative, the ruling coalition has remained silent and without a clear position, offering no dialogue or transparency to the Aruban people.
Through televised programs on Telaruba, PPA facilitated a professional and in-depth public debate featuring experts who analyzed the legal and constitutional implications of the proposed law. The party reaffirmed its stance as part of a National Front to protect Aruba’s autonomy.
“This is not a matter of PPA, AVP, MEP, or FUTURO,” Oduber emphasized.
“This is a matter of the Aruban people. The current leadership is selling our autonomy for financial gain and personal privilege, betraying the moral principles and the struggle of our ancestors who fought for the freedom we enjoy today.”
Two Paths Ahead: Unity or Surrender of Autonomy
Oduber highlighted that the upcoming meeting will be the second consultation with commercial, labor, and institutional stakeholders, initiated by PPA Member of Parliament Eduard Pieters.
During this session, two possible paths for Aruba under the Rijkswet HOFA will be discussed:
- Rejection Path – Parliament rejects the law and formally informs the Netherlands that there is no consensus, as prescribed by the Kingdom’s structure.
- Negotiation Path – Parliament drafts a report proposing amendments and demands to protect Aruba’s autonomy within the Kingdom.
However, PPA’s stance remains clear:
“This law must be stopped. You cannot give yourself a ‘certificate of incapacity’ as a government and Parliament. The Rijkswet HOFA undermines Aruba’s constitutional autonomy and contradicts the very essence of our status within the Kingdom,” Oduber stated.
An Unacceptable Law
According to Oduber, numerous Dutch professors, legal experts, and even members of the First and Second Chambers of the Netherlands have described the Rijkswet HOFA as unacceptable, warning that it poses a direct threat to Aruba’s autonomy. Their analyses confirm what the PPA has been stating since January.
“The law is a direct attack on our independence within the Kingdom. While the government remains silent, we refuse to let others write our destiny. This is not about politics—it’s about our dignity as a people. Aruba must choose dignity over dependence,” Oduber concluded.
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