ARUBA | In conversation about human rights, democracy and the rule of law

On 2 October 2026, the Aruba Human Rights Conference 2026 took place at the University of Aruba. As a section in the program, there was a panel discussion moderated by the Ombudsman of Aruba, Ms. Jurima Bryson, LL.M.

During the panel discussion, Minister Arthur Dowers (Minister of Justice, Integration and Public Transport), Brechtje Huiskes (University of Aruba), Linda Banis (Aruba Bar Association) and Clare Ovey (Council of Europe) engaged with each other and the public based on a number of statements about human rights and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

The public was also actively involved in the discussion. Using red and green cards, they could indicate whether they agreed or disagreed with the different statements. This created an interactive exchange of different perspectives.

The discussion addressed, among other things, whether people know their rights, whether they can exercise them and what human rights mean in practice.

The panel discussion was a valuable part of a morning in which human rights, democracy, and the rule of law took central stage.

Source: The Ombudsman Aruba