PHILIPSBURG:--- “There’s something powerful about women shaping policy.” These were the words of Cassandra Richardson, Director of Victim Support Services (VSS), as her team welcomed members of the Women’s Caucus of Parliament to the VSS Headquarters for a private engagement focused on survivor protection, legislative reform, and strengthening national support systems.
Victim Support Services is a foundation funded mainly by the Ministry of Justice. The agency continues to play a critical role in advocacy, survivor care, and public awareness across Sint Maarten.
In attendance were Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, Members of Parliament Veronica Jansen-Webster, Sjamira Roseburg, and Ludmilla de Weever, who engaged directly with VSS leadership, staff, and invited clients to better understand the lived realities of survivors and the urgent need for policy advancement.
A highlight of the evening included a thought-provoking poetic presentation by Ramona Riley of Prominent Women, underscoring the importance of women legislators championing issues of abuse, inequality, and justice affecting all genders.
During the closed session, several VSS clients, described as “victors,” bravely shared personal testimonies involving workplace harassment, molestation of minors, and domestic violence. Particular concern was raised regarding situations in which immigration dependency is used as a tool of coercion, leaving victims fearful of reporting abuse due to threats of deportation or family separation.
Internal discussions cried out for the urgent need for:
•Stronger legislative protection for minors against sexual abuse and exploitation
•Safeguards for spouses facing control, and immigration-related threats of deportation, no alimony
•Workplace protections preventing continued harassment after formal complaints
•Better collaboration between law enforcement, court systems, SMMC, SZV, and Victim Support Services
• Added public awareness of survivor rights, financial restitution, and pathways to safety
Members of Parliament and the women’s caucus, MP Veronica Jansen-Webster and Sjamira Roseburg, graciously reflected on knowledge gained from recent regional parliamentary engagement in Trinidad and Tobago, where lawmakers exchanged strategies to combat technological abuse, support voiceless victims, and strengthen survivor-centered legislation.
Victim Support Services reaffirmed that healing begins when survivor stories are acknowledged as truthful and when our local systems respond with dignity, care, protection, and empowerment. The VSS called for continued legislative partnership to ensure that women, men, and children living in fear of partner abuse and control, and persons harassed in the work environment, are protected and supported through meaningful, enforceable policy. VSS encouraged the caucus of women to utilize the important information, knowledge, and skills that the agency, along with their survivor partners, can share in order to lend advice throughout the potential draft legislative framework process, given the loopholes that the survivors encounter when they should be simply focusing on receiving assistance in a caring manner.
The Women’s Caucus is committed to carefully reviewing the concerns presented and advancing legislative measures that restore safety, justice, and dignity for all survivors across Sint Maarten.
Victim Support Services is dedicated to providing confidential assistance, advocacy, and guidance to individuals affected by crime, abuse, major accidents and violence. Through counseling, referrals, and community engagement, VSS works to ensure survivors are protected, informed of their rights, and supported on their path to healing.

PHILIPSBURG:--- With strong community interest and teams continuing to sign up, organizers of the Impact Quest Scavenger Hunt have officially extended the registration deadline to February 22, 2026. The event will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the SXM Padel Club (PDP Court), as part of Sint Maarten’s kickoff celebration of the United Nations-declared International Year of Volunteers 2026.

The extension offers one final opportunity for teams to register for what is shaping up to be one of the island’s most dynamic volunteer-driven events of the year. Organized by Volunteer.sx in partnership with the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), Foresee Foundation (4C), and the SXM Padel Club, Impact Quest invites the entire community to join in a day of connection, creativity, and collective impact, while placing a special focus on empowering youth through volunteerism. Teams of four to five participants will complete mini-missions inspired by real acts of service across St. Maarten, blending teamwork, creativity, and community impact.

This is not your average scavenger hunt. Teams will use a dedicated event app to access their missions, upload photos of completed challenges, answer impact-based questions, and earn points directly on a digital, interactive platform. The app adds strategy, accountability, and a competitive edge to every task while keeping the experience organized and engaging. To ensure full participation, teams will receive day-specific data so they can stay connected, access the app seamlessly, and focus entirely on completing their missions and making an impact.

Thanks to the generous support of event sponsors, youth teams can participate free of charge.
A limited number of teams with at least two participants under 25 also qualify for full sponsorship coverage. This ensures that financial barriers do not prevent young people from engaging in volunteerism and nation-building. Spots are limited and will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The standard team registration fee remains USD 250, which supports event logistics, materials, safety coordination, and overall execution.

Impact Quest is more than a race for points and prizes. It is a platform for youth leadership, civic pride, and collective action. Teams will engage directly with local NGOs and community initiatives through creative and hands-on service challenges, demonstrating that volunteerism can be both meaningful and energizing.
The event will conclude with a celebratory Social Mixer at SXM Padel Club’s Port de Plaisance location, featuring music, games, prizes, and recognition of top-performing teams.

Registration closes February 22, 2026. Teams are encouraged to secure their spot immediately, especially those seeking sponsored youth participation. Register now at: bit.ly/impactquest

As Sint Maarten embraces the International Year of Volunteers, Impact Quest sets the tone for a year centered on collaboration, community engagement, and youth-driven impact. Youth engagement is not charity. It is nation-building in action.
To register or learn more, visit Volunteer.sx, sign up directly at bit.ly/impactques, or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA:--- Oranjestad, Aruba – The Ombudsman of Aruba, Ms. Jurima Bryson, LL.M., has been elected Regional Director for the Caribbean & Latin American Region of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI).

In June 2025, the Office of the Ombudsman announced that the Ombudsman of Aruba was admitted as a member of the IOI after extensive screening. The IOI is an international organization. It brings together more than 200 Ombudsman institutes from more than 100 countries. Its goal is to support cooperation, good governance, transparency, and the protection of human rights.

As Regional Director, Ms. Bryson represents the Caribbean and Latin American region within the IOI. In this capacity, she promotes and facilitates the exchange of knowledge among member countries.

Her election reflects the international recognition of the work of the Ombudsman of Aruba and further strengthens Aruba’s position within the global network of Ombudsman institutions.

Ms. Bryson expressed her sincere appreciation for this unique opportunity: “I am deeply honored to receive this positive news, not only personally but also on behalf of my country, Aruba. With the support of my team, we have built an impartial, independent, and professional institute on our small island. It is truly encouraging to see that, even in its early stages, our work has already attracted international recognition. This development gives Aruba access to a broader network and affirms the international standing of our Ombudsman Institute. Just as I serve with dedication in my role as Defensor di Pueblo, Defender of the People, I will carry out my new role as Regional Director for the Caribbean and Latin America with the same commitment, dedication, and sense of responsibility.”

The Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO) welcomes the outcome of the 2025 review of the Kingdom of the Netherlands before the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Geneva. Represented by James Finies and Davika Bissessar Shaw, BHRO attended the review in Geneva with a strong belief in the United Nations human rights system, trusting that the realities facing the people of Bonaire would be heard and fairly assessed.

BHRO was the only civil society organization from the Dutch Caribbean present in Geneva. No NGOs from Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba, or Sint Eustatius attended. BHRO directly intervened in the meeting in an independent and impartial manner, engaging with the Chair, Ms. Saran, the Taskforce Leader, Special Rapporteur Ms. Rossi, and other Committee members, ensuring that the lived realities of Bonaire and the Dutch Caribbean island peoples were presented clearly and without bias.

During the review, BHRO highlighted disparities in poverty, social security, healthcare access, housing, climate vulnerability, and the persistent suppression of education and cultural rights. Many concerns were raised, including healthcare, education, culture, and a lack of self-determination. Policies and laws have been implemented without adequate cultural consultation, potentially violating social, educational, and cultural rights. BHRO emphasized that policies must align with community values and uphold the highest attainable standards in a culturally appropriate manner.

BHRO also stressed the erosion of Bonerian cultural identity due to insufficient protection of local language instruction, culturally relevant curricula, and heritage preservation. Structural inequalities persist compared to the European Netherlands, particularly regarding the cost of living, social protection standards, environmental safeguards, access to quality education, and culturally sensitive healthcare.

The Committee’s Concluding Observations (E/C.12/NLD/CO/7) reaffirmed the Kingdom of the Netherlands responsibility to guarantee full and equal implementation of economic, social, and cultural rights across all territories under its jurisdiction, including Bonaire.

BHRO expressed serious concern over demographic changes affecting Bonaire’s native population and culture.

BHRO remains committed to international engagement and constructive dialogue to ensure that Bonaire’s people enjoy full protection of their educational, cultural, economic, and healthcare rights while safeguarding the island’s unique identity.

The Bonaire Human Rights Organization urges the Government of the Netherlands to fully implement the Human Rights Committee’s recommendations and take urgent measures to prevent further demographic and cultural erosion, including reviewing and stopping policies enabling unrestricted settlers’ migration.