Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO) is amplifying its call for international support regarding the illegal annexation of Bonaire. James Finies, leader of Pueblo Progresivo Uni, and Davika Bissessar, president of BHRO, participated as special guests in a pivotal conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, from July 17-18, 2024, where crucial discussions on colonialism and self-determination took place. Azerbaijan will host this year’s 2024 COP29, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku, an international world conference on climate change where most all 192 members of the United Nations and signatories to the convention at this global event will attend in November 2024.
The Baku Initiative Group (BIG), founded on July 6, 2023, during the Non-Aligned Movement's ministerial meeting, promotes international cooperation against colonialism.
During the conference last week in Baku, Azerbaijan, titled “Congress of French Colonies,” Bonaire joined 15 organizations from French territories such as French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Corsica, and Saint Martin to form the International Liberation Front, a coalition dedicated to decolonization efforts. The Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, Abbas Abbasov, has pledged support for Bonaire's trajectory.
This follows a significant conference on decolonization and the “C-24 role in ending colonialism” hosted by BIG on June 20 at the UN Headquarters in New York, where PPU and BHRO participated and garnered international attention. The incident originated because of hostile bullying by the Dutch government mission at the UN, which called the Azerbaijan UN mission to host the conference and requested that they stop the Bonaire delegation's participation, but to no avail.
In his address in Baku, Finies, speaking in French for the first time, highlighted the ongoing violations of the UN Charter and various international covenants by the Dutch government. He issued a heartfelt appeal for solidarity, emphasizing the urgent humanitarian crisis facing Bonaire, where the indigenous population has dwindled to just 32% since the 2010 status change, threatening their very existence.
Bissessar articulated Bonaire’s struggle and trajectory, with the primary objective of reinstatement on the UN's list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. The territory was removed in 1955 without the consent of its people, and such recognition would provide essential protections under UN Article 73, safeguarding their rights and development.
BHRO remains committed to raising awareness and rallying international support for the urgent case of the people of Bonaire as we face the real imminent threat of cultural and demographic erasure.

Bonaire Human Rights Organization

Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar 26
Kralendijk, Bonaire

PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance expresses our concern regarding the recent ad hoc decision made by Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and the Minister of Justice. This decision, taken without prior consultation with relevant authorities, effectively cancels all public events, meetings, gatherings, and even election day activities at polling stations. Such a decision without proper dialogue raises lots of concerns for our faction.

Our primary concern is the apparent attempt to instill fear among the people of Sint Maarten. If there are legitimate reasons for such drastic measures, all 15 Members of Parliament must be included in a thorough discussion to understand the necessity of this decision. Unfortunately, this did not happen. There was no consultation with members of parliament, party leaders, the KPSM, the public prosecutor, or Sint Maarten's VDSM. This lack of communication and transparency is unacceptable.

As representatives of the National Alliance Faction, we are calling for an urgent parliamentary meeting to address and discuss this decision. Depriving the public of their right to make informed decisions through political rallies and gatherings where party manifestos and visions are shared is fundamentally unfair. This abrupt halt to public discourse undermines the democratic process.

Moreover, we seek clarity on the duration of this ban on public events. Is this restriction only until August 20th? Will normalcy return afterward, and will this measure effectively address the concerns of violence and threats toward politicians? These are questions that demand immediate answers.

We cannot ignore the possibility that this decision might be politically motivated. The National Alliance Party had already announced its schedule of public meetings, intending to inform the populace about our plans and the progress left in the pipeline by the National Alliance Government. Suddenly awakening to this news raises serious concerns about the safety and transparency of our country’s political environment.

The Prime Minister claimed in a National Address about the tragic event that took place last week that there is no evidence that the attack was politically motivated, yet he has taken drastic measures to cancel public political meetings without consulting or informing all party leaders.

If there is a national security threat, the public deserves to know.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Nikhil Kukreja raises concerns about the decision to conduct road work repairs on the ONLY cruise ship day of the week.

The Department of VROMI's announcement on July 19, 2024, outlined plans for temporary repairs on AJC Brouwers Road in St. Maarten beginning on July 25, 2024. These repairs, intended to fix a section above a collapsed drain, will entail closing one lane for around six hours, from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm, with assurances of managing traffic flow effectively during this period.

 What complicates this situation is that these repairs coincide with the arrival of the Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship accommodating up to 7,960 passengers and crew. This simultaneous occurrence has raised concerns among businesses about potential disruptions and their impact on the local community.

 Nikhil Kukreja, a figure in the St. Maarten business community and UPP candidate #7 has highlighted the potential significant traffic disruptions caused by the road repairs, affecting residents, visitors, and businesses, notably those in the tourism sector. Drawing on his experience as a former board member of the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kukreja pointed out how these repairs compound existing challenges on the island, such as gun violence and infrastructure issues, which could further damage its reputation and have lasting economic repercussions.

 With only 15 ships scheduled for July 2024 and already two cancellations due to adverse weather conditions, there are now questions about why the repairs were scheduled on the only cruise ship day of the week. This decision underlines the necessity for meticulous planning and coordination to ensure seamless operations and minimize disruptions for all involved.

 Moreover, considerations for visiting guests wanting to explore destinations like Philipsburg or other parts of the island surface further emphasize the need for strategic planning to cater to the needs of both residents and visitors while undertaking essential infrastructure maintenance. Additionally, the potential inconveniences faced by visiting passengers missing their cruises due to delays highlight the importance of proper scheduling to ensure a smoother experience for all guests.

 This scheduling conflict will not only impact all brick-and-mortar businesses but will also affect tour guides, such as buses and taxis, ATV tours, and various other excursions, who were anticipating the one day of the week when significant business activity was expected. In light of these concerns, Kukreja advocates for alternative strategies, suggesting that road works be conducted during late-night hours to minimize public inconvenience.

Emphasizing the importance of considering both the local population and visitors in decision-making processes, Kukreja stresses the need to balance infrastructure maintenance and supporting the island's vital tourism industry to ensure sustainable growth and prosperity for St. Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- NV GEBE informs the general public that due to technical issues with engines 17 and 18, there will be temporary disruptions to the power supply, resulting in increased load shedding and electricity outages.
The technical team and operators promptly assessed the situation and took the necessary steps to repair the engines. Work is progressing to ensure that power is fully restored as soon as possible.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.