King Willem-Alexander (second from left) with St. Maarten Ombudsman Gwendolien Mossel (left), National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen (second from right) and Curaçao Ombudsman Keursly Concincion (right). Photo by Kick Smeets.
THE HAGUE–King Willem-Alexander met on Wednesday with the three Ombudsmen of the Dutch Kingdom. It was the first time that National Ombudsman Reinier Zutphen, St. Maarten Ombudsman Gwendolien Mossel and Curaçao Ombudsman Keursly Concincion had a joint meeting with the King.
The three Ombudsmen talked about the developments in their respective countries. They told the King about the challenges that they witnessed and talked about the relation between citizens and the government. They also explained the role of their institute and the manner in which they assist citizens within the Kingdom in their dealings and issues with the government.
Aruba, which doesn’t have an Ombudsman as yet, was represented in the meeting with the King by Sahaira Kelly who is preparing the Ombudsman institution in Aruba. The Ombudsmen of the Kingdom meet each other every year to discuss current developments within the Kingdom and to exchange knowledge and experience. Their last meeting was on Saba in January 2019. National Ombudsman Van Zutphen is also the Ombudsman for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.
The meeting with the three Ombudsmen of the Kingdom was part of a visit of King Willem-Alexander to the National Ombudsman offices in The Hague. Upon his arrival, the King was met by National Ombudsman Van Zutphen and Director Hanneke van Essen.
The King met with several employees of the National Ombudsman to talk about the relationship between citizens and government, the manner in which the Ombudsman carries out investigations and the themes of interest such as poverty and digitalisation.
The Ombudsman helps people when they have a problem with government by referring them to the right authorities, providing advice and by carrying out investigations. The Ombudsman sees to it that the interests of citizens are respected by government and taken into account.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/92116-kingdom-ombudsmen-meet-with-the-king
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