ORANJESTAD, ARUBA:--- The Ombudsman, Ms. Jurima Bryson, LL.M., has received multiple reports concerning the protection and care of residents of private care and shelter facilities and similar institutions in Aruba. Various reports have also appeared in the media concerning the situation within these institutions and facilities. This concerns not only facilities for older persons, but also institutions that accommodate and support homeless and displaced persons, persons struggling with addiction, and persons recovering from addiction.
Residents of such institutions are in a vulnerable and dependent position due to their age, physical or psychological condition, social circumstances, or addiction problems. This makes it harder for residents to assert their rights and interests or raise concerns about possible abuse or misconduct.
They are largely dependent on the institution or facility for accommodation, care, support, treatment, nutrition, medical care, and safety. Therefore, the government must ensure appropriate safeguards and humane accommodation, care, support, and treatment.
This aligns with the standard of proper conduct under a special duty of care, which requires institutions and the government to protect residents' human dignity, fundamental rights, and physical and psychological safety. Institutions should receive signals of possible misconduct promptly, assess them carefully, and, where necessary, investigate and follow up.
In this context, the Ombudsman sent a letter of concern to the Minister of Transport, Integrity, Nature and Elderly Affairs, responsible for the Ministry of Public Health, Social Affairs, Elderly Care and Addiction Care, Ms. Drs. M.G. Wyatt-Ras.
As an independent and impartial institution, the Ombudsman has raised several concerns about protecting residents of private care and shelter facilities. These include appropriate accommodation, expertise and staffing, oversight and enforcement, accessible reporting and legal protection, and continuity of appropriate care.
More information is available in the letter of concern on protecting and caring for residents of private care and shelter facilities. The full letter is available on the Ombudsman’s website, www.ombudsman.aw/en/publications/.
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