Mexico City,
5 June 2024
Advocating
for Bonaire's Future
From May
25th to 30th, 2024 Davika Bissessar and James Finies of Bonaire Human Rights
Organization participated in the 4th International Conference on Small Island
Developing States (SIDS) organized by the United Nations (UN) with theme
“Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity” held in Antigua and Barbuda.
Reflecting
on this significant event, which convenes every ten years, we gained valuable
insights. This gathering provided a unique opportunity to engage with prominent
leaders across the Caribbean region. Our presence served as a platform to shed
light on the pressing issues facing our island, Bonaire, particularly in the
aftermath of dramatic changes since October 10, 2010.
We had the
opportunity to reach out and speak and share and update on the Bonaire Case
trajectory for the Re-listing of Bonaire on the UN’s Non Self-Governing Territories
to many prime ministers, leaders and institutions. To mention a few: Barbados
PM Mottley, St Vincent & Grenadines PM Gonsalves, Foreign Minister Saudi
Arabia, Dominica PM Skerrit, Antigua UN Ambassador Webson, President of the UN General
Assembly Francis, British Virgin Islands Premier Wheatley, Curacao PM Pisas,
Aruba PM Croes, Bahamas PM Davis, St Kitts & Nevis FM Douglas and PM Drew,
Director of OECS Jules, Secretary General of CARICOM Barnett, CARICOM
Reparations Commission Chair Beckles and many other influential leaders.
One of the
most alarming concerns highlighted during our interactions was the precipitous
decline in the native Bonairean population, now displaced and reduced to a mere
32%. This statistic underscores the urgent need for concerted action from the
international community to address the socio-economic challenges and pressures
exacerbating this demographic shift. As we reflect on the discussions and
exchanges that took place at the SIDS meeting, it is clear that collaborative
efforts and advocacy will be pivotal in safeguarding the rights and well-being
and to save the Bonairean people from eradication.
The Dutch
Ministry took to Antigua former controversial governor Edison Rijna that had to
retire as governor because of a corruption tinted environmental scandal, Commissioner
Anjelica Cicilia and youth representative Noah Hassan, who all failed to
mention the real situations the people of Bonaire are facing.
Despite our
efforts to raise awareness, crucial issues such as Bonaire falling below the
poverty line were not adequately addressed. It became evident that the reason
for the delegation from Bonaire and Saba, including the Saba Governor Johnson
and very obvious there was no representation from Sint Eustatius leadership
that still maintains their dignity and still don’t have a government since 2018,
was to use subordinated representatives to advocate for support from the UN’s
Billion Dollar Sustainable Development Goals funds.
The
Sustainable Development Goals which number one goal is, no poverty – to end
poverty in all its forms everywhere-, these funds aim to provide financial
resources for projects addressing poverty, inequality, and environmental
sustainability as Bonaire delegation was seemingly instructed by the Dutch not
to speak about poverty or other pressing issues that matters for the Bonerians.
As we move
forward, with the campaign Bonaire Lives Matter it's essential to continue
advocating for the needs of Bonaire and other small island communities,
ensuring that they are not overshadowed or misrepresented on the global stage.
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