‘Comply First, Explain Why Not’: Dutch Govt sharpens BES policy approach

THE HAGUE--The Dutch Government is making it harder for ministries to leave Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba out of national policy. Under the strengthened “comply or explain” principle, new Dutch policy should, as a starting point, also apply to the three islands. Where a ministry decides that a policy, law, funding arrangement or other measure should not apply in the same way, it must have serious reasons and clearly explain why.