Curacao can not possibly find in Blok's statements

The government of Curaçao can "absolutely not find" in the recent statements by Minister Stef Blok (Foreign Affairs, VVD) on multicultural societies. The office of Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath said Thursday in a statement "the deepest regret" because they "deeply touch the heart of the multicultural society of Curacao".

The Cabinet of Curaçao also points out that Blok, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, also represents the Caribbean side of the Kingdom:

"It is precisely our diversity that makes us powerful." As a Curaçao, we are proud of the fact that we are a society made up of people from all parts of the world, who live side by side in peace and harmony, despite ethnic and religious differences. "

statements that He made it at a private meeting in early July. There he said, among other things, that Suriname is a "failed state" and that this is due to an "ethnic division". He also said that genes ensure that people probably want "a well-organized group to hunt or maintain a village". This was evident from the secret recordings that the television show Zembla made of Bloks' performance. The minister did not apologize, but admitted that he had "gone too far" with his comments. In his own words, he wanted to stimulate "focused […]".

Read also: What exactly does Blok say (and beat his statements)?

"Apologies or Resignation"

In the Netherlands and abroad, there was much unrest last week over the statements. On Thursday, the Suriname government demanded Blok's short-term apology for the "destabilizing and disparaging" remarks. In the Netherlands, a group of D66 members would also have apologized for Blok, writes AD on Thursday. If Minister VVD does not present "sincere apologies", he will have to resign in the worst case.

Former VVD member Arend Jan Boekestijn on Friday wrote statements of his party member in an opinion piece [deVolkskrant) as "neither tactical nor reasonable". According to Boekestijn, the fact that Blok has resumed his statements does not take anything away from the damage, both in the country and abroad.

The opposition party PvdA wants the House to come back from summer holidays to discuss the issue. That this happens, is not clear until now.