By Humane Care Foundation Curaçao Press Release


WILLEMSTAD – The beach that has been destined for public activities at Caracas Bay is also contaminated with oil pollution.

Various people were witness when children, one of 3 1⁄2 years, one of 8 years
and one of 13 years who were swimming and having fun at the beach, were suddenly smeared with oil. The chest and back of the youngest one turned red and was covered with pimples. At a closer inspection all three children had oil all over their body and in their hair. The bathing suite of the 13 year old child was covered with oil.

Humane Care Foundation Curaçao points out to the fact that this beach is
officially open for the public and tourists, and a tourism project has been
planned for the area.

How is it possible that this can take place? How can it be that a beach is open
to the public and destined for tourism development, while huge tankers and
oil-drilling platforms are allowed to enter into the bay?

What will happen if a tourist goes swimming at Caracas Bay and gets into an
incident due to oil pollution, just like these children? What happens if someone
swallows contaminated water in this area? Or what if even more serious accidents
happen, involving toxic pollution?

Do we have to stand aside silently and watch, like some ask us to do? Is the
community responsible for possible damage or claims? Or is swimming at Caracas
Bay or breathing norm exceeding polluted air downwind of Schottegat at your own risk?

President of Humane Care Foundation, Mr. Norbert George: “Our government
officials have a mouth full when it comes down to ‘the need to give a good
example caring for children’, or when it concerns tourism development being
priority number 1. For more then 20 years we are being told that the government is searching for a ‘structural’ solution with regard to the norm exceeding toxic pollution on  the island caused by the oil industry.

Because this is the usual way of throwing sand in the eyes of the public, while
the feast goes on, just as is the case with regard to the ISLA refinery. People
become sick; our children become sick, without even knowing what the cause is.
Whereas our government has all the information and fact finding studies
describing in details the effects of toxic pollution, contaminated air, sea and
soil. But we may not speak out; we may not exceed respect for our lives, health
and human rights.

Because we might step on the toes of some powerful interests on the island.
Interests who immediately try to cut of your throat and accuse you of destroying
Curaçao. But who are really destroying our beautiful island by contaminating it
or by allowing toxic pollution failing to respond to responsibility?

Instead of demanding an immediate remedy to the benefit of all people and
tourists who really contribute to our economy in particular, these ‘powerful
interests’ choose to oppose the ones that are really dedicated to demand
change in favor of our community and future generations. Let me make it clear,
we are not seeking any confrontation, but enough is enough! The live and health
of our children is a ‘holy blessing’ and as such our highest priority.
Either the government takes immediate action to eliminate toxic pollution caused
by the oil industry, or we will seek action from abroad. No more time for
stalling and deceiving. We will go all the way to protect our children, and we
demand for the government to put the money were its mouth is.