Bonaire has a voice at the UN

United Nations Headquarters, New York City, May 17, 2023

Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO) granted Special Consultative Status of United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council

The BHRO delegation marked the 420th day on the road as they continue to lobby in Latin America and Caribbean. Last Sunday, they traveled to the UN Headquarters in New York City to take up the Invitation of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN, to attend meetings from 15th - 23rd May.

The ECOSOC is one of the six principal organs of the UN, responsible for the direction and coordination of the economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities.

These meetings will be from 10 am to 6 pm every day at the UN. Members of the commission are comprised of 54 countries, 14 from Africa, 11 from Asia, 6 from Eastern Europe, 10 from Latin America and Caribbean, 13 from Western Europe and other areas including countries, such as Sweden, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, etc., and four permanent members of the Security Council, United States, Russia, United Kingdom and France. Fortunately for us, The Netherlands was not re-elected after 2021 as a member of the ECOSOC.

The BHRO delegation’s objective is to witness and participate in the 2023 Resumed Session of the Committee meetings, and to witness if BHRO will be considered as a Special Consultative Status in the UN.

On Day 2, May 16, 2023, at 10:45 BHRO was called up for consideration by the Honorable Chair Mrs. Petronellas Nyagura of Zimbabwe. There was a 2-minute silence for the Commission members delegates of ECOSOC to question or object. Both members of BHRO were very nervous, since many organizations were questioned by them for various reasons. If rejected, BHRO would have to wait possibly another year or more to be considered again.  Fortunately, no member delegates had questions nor objections, and BHRO was instantly granted this groundbreaking historical Special Consultative Status of the UN’s ECOSOC.

BHRO continues to make rapid development internationally in the field of Human Rights of Bonaire, as our organization was granted the world highest recognition as civil society NGO of Special Consultative Status of the UN. That will officially open new doors and possibilities for BHRO and its trajectory to re-list Bonaire on the UN’s Non-Self-Governing-Territories. In addition to this great milestone, last month, BHRO was granted Special Status of Associate Member by CARICOM Reparations Commission.

With the decision of UN Commission taken on this historical day, May 16, 2023, where for the first time in history our Bonaire People and their Human Rights have been internationally recognized and accredited representation at the UN, our People’s voices will be heard.

BHRO will strive together with the UN’s ECOSOC for possibilities to realize the deferred Social and Economic Rights of our Bonerian People.