NEW YORK/PHILIPSBURG–King Willem-Alexander told his audience at the United Nations (UN) general assembly on Tuesday evening that everyone – including Russia – must cooperate with efforts to find out the truth about the downing of flight MH17. He also announced the Netherlands’ bid for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council.

It is “unacceptable for individuals responsible for international crimes to escape their just punishment,” the king said in his speech. “In this forum I wish to repeat that, under Security Council resolution 2166, all countries – including Russia – must cooperate fully with efforts to establish the truth about the downing of flight MH17 on July 17, 2014. The families of the 298 victims,” the King said, “expect justice, and we will not rest until justice is done.”

Russia has repeatedly denied any responsibility for the downing of the aircraft over eastern Ukraine. And earlier this month, it emerged that a potential key witness had been returned to Russia by Ukraine in a prisoner exchange.

The Netherlands will also continue its efforts to strengthen the International Criminal Court, an indispensable component of the international legal order, the King said.

Sustainable Development Goals

The bulk of the King’s speech centred on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals which, he said, will bring the “fair, clean and sustainable world” demanded by young people closer.

If we are to achieve the sustainable development goals, we must protect human rights, the King said. “The Kingdom of the Netherlands wants to work with you all to champion that aim. We have therefore announced our candidacy for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council from 2020 to 2022. We hope to have your support in the election this autumn.”

“In many places around the world people are not free to be themselves,” the King said. “In many places, there is no room for diversity. No respect for the rights and opportunities of minorities. No equality between men and women.”

This, King Willem-Alexander said, is a breeding ground for instability because every human being strives for recognition. “We must hold firmly to the freedom of religion or belief, including for minorities in places where the great majority profess a different faith,” the King said. “Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews and people without religious convictions should be able everywhere to follow their own conscience in peace.”

At the same time, he said, the Netherlands welcomes the fact that the rights of lesbian, gay and transgender people and of other minority communities, are being laid down in law in more and more places around the world.

King Willem-Alexander said the Netherlands is also concerned that, in several countries and regions, young people risk losing all hope of a better future. “One example is Venezuela, our neighbouring country to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom,” he said.

As to climate change, the King said that in the Netherlands the government, municipalities, the business community, civil society and the general public have joined together with the goal of almost halving emissions by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. “At the same time, we are partnering with Costa Rica to help developing countries that want to raise their climate ambitions and take action,” he said.

In his speech to the UN, the King said that in the Dutch Kingdom we are familiar with both the trade winds of the tropics and the cold gales of the North Sea.

“Anyone wishing to understand our character can best begin with a concept that is close to the heart of everyone in our Kingdom: freedom. Over the coming year, we will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of our liberation from oppression and tyranny. From the city of Amsterdam to the smallest villages, there will be commemorations and celebrations, by old and young alike. The Caribbean part of the Kingdom will also reflect on its own contribution to the Allied struggle,” the King said.

SAMOA Pathway

The Kingdom of the Netherlands’ delegation to the UN general assembly does not only consist of the King. He is accompanied by Queen Máxima, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Minister of Foreign Affairs Stef Blok and by the Prime Ministers of Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten.

During their stay in New York, the prime ministers of the three Dutch Caribbean countries will have talks with their colleagues on specific challenges for small island developing states (SIDS), for example their vulnerability to external forces and natural disasters. The Caribbean countries within the Kingdom will work to gain worldwide recognition for transnational problems facing small island states and to identify new forms of partnership.

Prime Minister of St. Maarten Leona Romeo-Marlin will address the meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative Action Network on strengthening the economies of the countries of the Caribbean region, promoting investment and increasing their resilience to the impact of climate change.

Prime Minister of Aruba Evelyn Wever-Croes’ aim is to cooperate with other small island nations and UN organizations to fight corruption and strengthen transparent institutions. She will also discuss these issues in her intervention on progress, gaps and challenges during the high-level review of progress made on the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway.

Prime Minister of Curaçao Eugene Rhuggenaath, together with his colleagues from Aruba and St. Maarten, will promote the sustainable development of small island states during the review of the SAMOA Pathway.

Bron: Daily Herald