T.M.C. Asser Press The Right to Self-Determination and Post-Colonial Governance: The Case of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba

This book deals with the international law concerning overseas territories and the right of such territories to choose another relationship with their mother country. Many examples are studied, such as the British, French, American, Danish and New Zealand territories. May such islands choose to become independent, or to become an integral part of the mother country? Do they have the freedom to determine their own political status, to act on the international scene? The case of the Dutch territories in the Caribbean is dealt with in more detail, specifically their constitutional relationship to the Netherlands and the European Union. Through comparison of the different solutions that other states have chosen, a number of best practices are identified Review 'The text connects with the author's wide experience as a senior civil servant with the Dutch Government. This is indeed a rare privilege to be able to read, in English, an up-to-date, well crafted book that deals with the mainly legal, juridical, political and diplomatic challenges associated with governing a clutch of sub-national island jurisdictions that share a similar predicament to the United Kingdom's own Overseas Territories (UKOTs).' Island Studies Journal Book Description Can an overseas territory choose to become independent, or to become an integral part of its mother country? Can it have the freedom to determine its own political status? Dr Steven Hillebrink compares the different solutions that states have chosen in order to identify best practice. About the Author Dr Steven Hillebrink is a legal adviser in the Constitutional Affairs and Legislation Department of the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.