Dear Editor,
Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO) and the Civil Society of Bonaire challenge and resist a Netherlands national committee that includes Bonaire with regards to “Reparations”. In our view only we, the Bonerians who are living on Bonaire, can represent themselves for the reasons below:
Unlike the Caribbean independent nations and the semi-autonomous islands Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, our island Bonaire has no political independence; our self-governance is below the United Nations and International Law minimum standards and there is no equality in and between Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius (BES-islands) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands that constitutes out of Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
Bonaire is still a colony, as at the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on October 10, 2010. Our BES islands were imbedded in the Dutch Constitution without equal rights and without the consent of our people. Despite the democratic decision of the people of Bonaire in the 2015 referendum that voted against (66%) and rejected the imposed Dutch constitutional status. Our autonomy that we had had since 1954 was erased and reversed, and Bonaire and the BES-islands returned to colonial-era-direct-rule from The Hague. All of Bonaire’s and BES-islands laws, education and tax money is collected and controlled by the Dutch Parliament in The Hague.
Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten, the CAS-islands situated in the Caribbean, are semi-autonomous territories in the Dutch Kingdom with each one representative in the Kingdom government. The Dutch government, who has a majority in the Kingdom government, will remain with the ultimate power to unilaterally impose Kingdom laws or acts upon these CAS-islands.
A brief history of Bonaire enslaved people:
1 - Our Bonaire ancestors, as well as those of all other Caribbean islands, were forced/made slaves by the European colonizers. Entire Bonairean enslaved families, men, women, children, and also convicted enslaved ancestors from other sister islands laboured on the saltpan and were worked to death in these pans of Bonaire. With a very short life span, harsh inhuman treatment, most of them becoming blind, they cultivated, harvested, and shipped thousands and thousands of tons of this “white gold” to Holland to grow their main economic fishing pillar, building their economy and enriching them to one of world richest nations. All by our ancestors’ free labour and short-lived lives in these horror salt plants.
2 - After the Dutch abolition law of 1863, our ancestors could not work for free for them anymore, the Dutch government maliciously decided to divide the island Bonaire in five big parts/plantations, sold our ancestors’ lands to Europeans in an auction in 1868, and then abandoned our ancestors to fend for themselves.
3 - Our peoples, on all levels were systematically and premeditated denied of all historical information on our slavery past and history as it was never mentioned nor was put in our school curriculum which the Dutch Education Ministry controls up to today.
For clarity’s sake and to prevent any further misunderstanding, we would like to make absolutely clear that no organization or group from Holland represents Bonerians’ human rights in the Diaspora, Africa, or the United Nations.
Bonaire Human Rights Organization reiterates its commitment to “reparatory justice” as they continue the presently already over 460-days awareness mission, physically on the road country to country, throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to hold the Netherlands accountable for the unjustifiable human rights violations on Bonaire. Furthermore, to promote BHRO’s commitment of protecting basic human rights, and to work collectively to bring regional and global awareness on Bonaire’s social, economic, political inequality and our trajectory of listing Bonaire on the United Nations Non-Self-Governing-Territories. This includes, cultural justice meeting various Latin America and Caribbean leaders, presidents, and prime ministers and present them the Bonaire Assessment of Self-Governance Sufficiency in Conformity with internationally recognized standards.
BHRO will continue to strengthen their partnership with CARICOM reparations Committee (CRC) and will actively contribute to the CRC, United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, ECOSOC, Global African Congress, Caribbean Progressive Alliance and others, activities and is inclined as Civil Society representative to participate and self-finance, in person, in any meetings, conferences in the Caribbean region, in Africa, or Europe, enthusiastically moving forward to the realization of reparatory justice for our peoples..
Davika J. Bissessar – Bonaire Human Rights Organization
James Finies – Foundation Nos Kier Boneiru Bek
Sedney Marten – Movement For Change
~ Key for our future as a Caribbean nation ~
Dear Editor,
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to take part in BDO Dutch-Caribbean’s Panel Discussion on St. Maarten’s need to transition into a Blue, Green and Digital Economy. Although many exciting and encouraging things were said during the event I am, as always when it comes to these sorts of things, a bit concerned that after the pretty words and good intentions the things which were said and the commitments which were made will fall on the wayside. Which would be a shame.
As St. Maarten, hopefully, strives to transition to a green, blue, digital, and resilient economy, it is crucial to strike a balance between economic development and environmental conservation. This delicate equilibrium requires a comprehensive approach that considers the needs and concerns of local communities, promotes collaboration between the government and private sector, and leverages the unique natural resources and biodiversity of this island which we call home.
First and foremost, we must increase the aligning of our national efforts with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a solid framework for integrating economic, social, and environmental dimensions of development. By setting clear targets and working towards achieving these goals, St. Maarten can ensure a balanced approach to our (sustainable) development.
Emphasizing the development and implementation of blue and green technologies and innovation is another essential strategy. By encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices and investing in research and development, St. Maarten can drive economic growth while minimizing its environmental impact.
Promoting a circular economy is also crucial. This entails minimizing waste, encouraging a reduction of our solid waste (and finally implementing a ban on single-use plastics. I am all about communication and inclusion but the data has shown that the only effective way to reduce plastic waste is a top-down ban; once plastic is available it will be used no matter how conscientious the consumer) and using resources efficiently throughout the production and consumption cycle. By transitioning towards a circular economy, St. Maarten can reduce its ecological footprint and create a more sustainable future.
Accelerating the adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, is paramount. Offering incentives for businesses and individuals to invest in renewable energy infrastructure, while phasing out subsidies for fossil fuels, can drive the transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy system.
Sustainable forest management and supporting responsible agricultural practices play a vital role in conservation efforts. By implementing sustainable practices like organic farming, agroforestry, and precision agriculture, St. Maarten can preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services while supporting local food production.
Protecting and restoring natural habitats, including forests, wetlands, and marine ecosystems, will be crucial for preserving biodiversity. Establishing protected areas and promoting sustainable tourism practices can ensure the long-term sustainability of these ecosystems while providing economic opportunities for the local community. Unfortunately I must remind the reader that St. Maarten is the only island in the region without a protected area on land.
Additionally, implementing strong environmental regulations and standards is essential to hold businesses accountable for their environmental impact. Offering incentives such as tax breaks, grants, and subsidies can encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to the green transition. These should be offered to businesses and individuals that make the effort to be “green” or “blue” and not to the gambling sector for example, regardless of casino bosses political patronage.
Raising awareness among individuals, communities, and businesses about the importance of environmental conservation and the benefits of a green economy is also crucial. Promoting environmental education and encouraging sustainable lifestyles can drive behavior change and foster a culture of sustainability, something which St. Maarten desperately needs.
Also, collaboration and partnerships are key to the success of the green transition. By involving governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and academia in decision-making processes, St. Maarten can ensure that diverse perspectives are considered and sustainable strategies are developed and implemented. By encouraging investments in “green” and “blue” projects and businesses through financial mechanisms like green bonds, blue carbon offset schemes, and sustainable investment funds, St. Maarten can attract the necessary capital to drive sustainable development.
In addition to addressing the broader transition to a “green” and “blue” economy, it is crucial to consider the needs and concerns of local communities, especially vulnerable populations. Engaging and involving these communities from the outset through stakeholder engagement, community assessments, and capacity-building initiatives is vital for an inclusive transition.
Finally, tailoring laws, policies and programs to address the unique circumstances and preferences of local communities and vulnerable populations is essential. By ensuring affordability, accessibility, and cultural relevance, St. Maarten can create an enabling environment for these communities to participate fully in the green economy. We also need to increase the effectiveness of our legal systems; St. Maarten has no requirement for Environmental Impact Assessments, again one of the few islands in the region to not have one. And finally the Beach and Hillside Policy should be enacted into law so as to ensure that our beaches are free of harmful economic activity and accessible to all of our population and not just a select few. And of course our hillside policy should also be translated into law which must include a terrestrially protected area so as to ensure that the goods and services provided by our land can benefit our future generations and will not run the risk of being turned into another hot, concrete stain on our beautiful island of St. Maarten.
Tadzio Bervoets
Conservation Professional
Dear Editor,
There was recently a letter to the editor by Mr. George Pantophlet, long time MP and leading figure in area of economic affairs. He suggested that the best thing was for the Netherlands to convert the St. Maarten debt to a grant. He is not wrong that in the short term that would be very convenient. Every other developing country globally would like to have their debt forgiven too.
When an MP of St. Maarten makes such a suggestion it might make sense to those whose economic thinking is simplistic. It is, however, highly negative for the image of the country.
The point of financing developing nations by rich countries is to inject funds that will create the institutions and systems that will ensure that these countries are able to function effectively without deficits and the building up of debt. There are those that would argue otherwise and claim different motivations but mostly without good evidence.
It is certainly not the intention that rich country governments have been instructed by their electorate to fund deficits in poorly managed countries with their domestic tax income. Unfortunately, the Dutch [Caribbean – Ed.] part of the Kingdom is regarded as being poorly managed event though we may believe (and I do) that we have made great strides and have increasingly robust institutions.
When an MP of our parliament, especially one from the dominant coalition partner that is a leading light in economic affairs, exposes his lack of understanding of development goals, this negatively impacts the perception of St. Maarten elsewhere.
Robbie Ferron
By Alex Rosaria
I still remember seeing our flag hoisted for the first time in 1984. The blue symbolising the sea and the sky, the yellow stroke representing the sun and the stars symbolising the five continents from which people have arrived on our island. The white colours of the stars standing for peace.
Do people still see the colours and what they represent? Or has the flag been stained beyond recognition?
The flag in my memory stood tall and proud. It celebrated the togetherness of all. Today, a minority group still lives in inequality under the law just because they want to be free to carry on their lives irrespective of their preferences.
I remember being able to freely sit on my parents’ balcony in Santa Rosa, walk outside, and see jovial faces. I can’t see them any more because they don’t leave their caged homes. I can’t hear them because they are afraid to speak out. The free and independent press incessantly questioning our choices and democratic deficits have been silenced by money and power. I remember us being proud of welcoming people looking for a bright future here. Today, we curse them, imprison them, take away their rights and bully them. If you care to listen, you’ll hear people speak about the appalling conditions in which they live, sometimes in hushed voices.
Were we not supposed to be born with the right to be free and equal with the same opportunities, no matter where we came from, what we believe in, and how we choose to live our lives? Were we not supposed to have capable and honest democratic leaders to look after our common interests?
I cannot recognise our flag any more. It is covered with ugly stains.
Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia & Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He’s from Curaçao and has an MBA from the University of Iowa (USA)
Dear Editor,
This year we will be celebrating Emancipation Day for the third time on Saba. It has been 160 years since slavery was abolished in the Dutch colonies. Many of us know of the Emancipation Day celebrations across the region and it is with this in mind that we have decided to observe this historic day on Saba. We should never forget the history of our island and know that freedom is not free but that it was paid by those who came before us.
While it is impossible for us to atone for slavery and the impact it had on our ancestors, it is feasible for us to reflect on the progress we have seen on Saba. Therefore, let us look how far Saba has advanced, where we all are able to inhabit this beautiful island, the unspoiled Queen, with equal opportunities regardless of color.
Slavery for some may seem a thing of the past, but it is not, for people are still held in bondage in different ways in present times, by poverty, incessant wars, and the abuse of those who cannot fight back. We should continue to be informed of the issues many people face even though they may seem worlds away.
Let us rise to the occasion in commemorating this event that would have closed a very painful chapter in our past that many Saban forefathers endured under the system of slavery. As we commemorate this day in history, I want to draw upon the wisdom of Karl Marx “Every emancipation is the restoration of the human world and of human relationships to man himself.”
Happy Emancipation Day!
Island Council member Rolando Wilson
