“The SCA understands that the NIHR’s jurisdiction includes Caribbean territories of the Netherlands. However, the Dutch Equal Treatment Act is not applicable in these territories and therefore the NIHR, which is also an equality body, cannot discharge the full breath of its mandate in these territories.

The SCA emphasizes that an NHRI’s mandate should be interpreted in a broad, liberal and purposive manner to promote a progressive definition of human rights, which includes all rights set out in international, regional and domestic instruments, including economic, social and cultural rights.

The SCA encourages the NIHR to advocate for the extension of the applicability of the Equal Treatment Act to the Caribbean territories of the Netherlands.”