The Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO) proudly announces its participation in the COPPPAL International Observers Delegation for the New York General Elections of 4th November 2025 hosted by SDA. This landmark event marks a historic moment, as BHRO joined distinguished representatives from across Latin America and the Caribbean to observe one of the most closely watched elections in recent U.S. history.
This is the first time in history that an international delegation has observed a New York General Election, showing the people of Bonaire how important the work of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization is bringing their voice to the global stage, and making international contacts in every field to help the development of Bonaire.
The 2025 New York mayoral race has drawn worldwide attention, featuring three major candidates representing distinct political visions:
Andrew Cuomo, former Governor of New York, running as an Independent - Zohran Mamdani, progressive Democratic candidate and State Assembly member - Curtis Sliwa, representing the Republican Party
The race was described as a defining moment for the city’s political future, testing the balance between traditional power structures and emerging grassroots movements.
Following the official results confirming Zohran Mamdani’s victory, New York has entered a period of political transformation and social reflection. His win—making him the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor—has been hailed by many as a triumph for diversity, equity, and progressive reform. However, it has also triggered widespread upheaval and debate across the city’s political, business, and media landscapes.
Several establishment organizations and corporate leaders have voiced concern over Mamdani’s ambitious platform, which includes rent freezes, free public transportation, universal childcare, and expanded social programs. Political analysts describe this as a “political earthquake” that challenges the dominance of traditional power brokers in New York.
Meanwhile, grassroots and minority communities have celebrated the outcome as a victory for inclusion and representation, seeing in Mamdani’s leadership a reflection of America’s growing multicultural identity. Yet, his campaign and victory have also sparked divisive reactions, including Islamophobic and xenophobic rhetoric from far-right groups, and unease among moderate Democrats worried about the city’s economic direction under his leadership.
For the Bonaire Human Rights Organization, this election and its aftermath represent more than a local political shift—it highlights global challenges surrounding equity, representation, and the right to self-determination. As BHRO continues to defend the rights of Bonaire’s people and other small territories, witnessing such democratic transitions reinforces the importance of inclusive governance and respect for human dignity in all societies.
BHRO’s participation as an accredited observer reflects Bonaire’s expanding presence on the international stage, symbolizing solidarity with representative democratic processes and human rights advocacy worldwide.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, November 1, 2025, the Sint Maarten Youth Parliament continued its 2025 Annual Interscholastic Debate Competition (AIDC). This week's contest features four schools: Milton Peters College, St. Maarten Academy, St. Dominic High School, and Caribbean International Academy.

The first debate featured St. Dominic High against St. Maarten Academy, with St. Dominic defending the moot: “Schools have a moral obligation to ban or severely restrict the use of generative AI tools to protect students from the risks of misinformation, bias, and data privacy issues..” St. Maarten Academy emerged victorious in that contest. The Best Speaker title was awarded to Tyrique Walsh, the second speaker from St. Dominic High School.

The second debate featured Milton Peters College against Caribbean International Academy, with Academy defending the moot: “Prioritizing the full inclusion of students with disabilities in all school activities can negatively impact the academic and social experience of other students.” Milton Peters College emerged victorious in that contest. The Best Speaker title was awarded to Jada Smith, the rebuttal from Milton Peters College.

The competition continues the following Saturday, November 15 at 6:30 pm, with two debates. The first debate will feature Milton Peters College and St. Dominic High. St. Dominic High  will defend the moot: “Every educational institution should be required to give students thorough instruction on online privacy and digital rights, and safe technology use.”

In the second debate, Caribbean International Academy will compete against St. Maarten Academy, defending the moot: “The preservation of cultural heritage should not be the burden of our academic institutions.”

The debates take place in Room 202 at the University of St. Martin. Admission is US$2.00, and refreshments will be available for purchase. Come out and support your favourite team!

LITTLE BAY POND:--- On Sunday, November 2nd, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) partnered with the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten to host a community clean-up, which gathered 65 volunteers. From 7:00 am to 9:00 am, volunteers donned gloves and picked up garbage littering the roadside and the banks of Little Bay Pond, accumulating 5 truckloads. Throughout the clean-up, volunteers discovered abandoned car parts and industrial equipment, as well as countless empty glass/plastic bottles and an excessive amount of Styrofoam food containers. These waste materials pose a danger to the ecosystem and especially to the animals that inhabit the pond.

The event aimed to restore and preserve one of the island’s key ecological sites. It reinforced SMMC’s commitment to protecting Blue Forest ecosystems, a value that directly inspired the interior design concept of the St. Maarten General Hospital (SMGH). The hospital’s focus on community, culture, and the environment drives meaningful projects that enhance the overall well-being of the island and its people.
At the end of the clean-up, hosts from the Nature Foundation led volunteers on a bird-watching tour to showcase the various birds at Little Bay Pond.
SMMC and the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten thank the faculty and students of Learning Unlimited, the students of St. Dominic High School, the clients and group leaders of Sr. Basilia Center, the Teen Times members, the Belair and Cay Hill Communities, as well as SMMC staff volunteers for their vital contributions to the success of this event.
SMMC and the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten urge citizens of St. Maarten to refrain from littering and to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible, as poor waste management affects not only wildlife but also the quality of life for all island inhabitants.

~Firefighters, Ambulance, Police, Coast Guards, Prison, and CPS Workers Unite in Fury as Unions Threaten Escalation~

PHILIPSBURG:---  The tone inside the WICSU/PSU headquarters today was nothing short of explosive. What began as a solidarity meeting quickly transformed into a blistering indictment of government incompetence, with Members of Parliament Darryl York, Omar Ottley, and Francisco Lacroes openly rebuking ministers for what they called a “disgraceful display of neglect” toward the nation’s frontline workers.

The meeting — organized by the Windward Islands Civil Servants and Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU) and supported by the NAPB police union and the WITU — brought together representatives from every critical service sector: firefighters, ambulance personnel, prison officers, police, and employees of Collective Prevention Services (CPS).

After seven months of slowdowns, protests, and unanswered letters, the workers have had enough — and Parliament seems to agree.

“We Are Not Begging — We Are Demanding Respect”

WICSU/PSU President Sharon Cannegieter didn’t mince words as she opened the floor.

“Our workers are not begging,” she declared. “They are demanding what is rightfully theirs. We have firefighters working 24-hour shifts without proper compensation. Ambulance staff who can’t even get proper uniforms. And yet the government hides behind bureaucracy and legal excuses.”

The anger in the room was palpable as Cannegieter waved a “commitment letter” that unions have been pleading with the government to sign — a document outlining long-overdue issues including retroactive placement, career advancement, and fair classification under the 2025 Function Book.

“We’ve met, we’ve talked, and we’ve been lied to,” Cannegieter said. “Each time, the story changes. Enough is enough.”

MPs Erupt: “Fix It, or Face Consequences”

During the tense union-led meeting called by the Windward Islands Civil Servants and Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU) with the backing of the NAPB and WITU, Members of Parliament Omar Ottley, Francisco Lacroes, and Darryl York took a unified stance in defense of St. Martin’s frontline workers — from the Coast guards, police, prison officers, firefighters, and ambulance personnel to CPS and other essential services. Addressing the workers’ growing frustration, MP Darryl York cautioned against political double standards and questioned government transparency, declaring,  “Governance isn’t about wordplay; it’s about consistency.” He underscored that Parliament had a duty to ensure fairness and good governance, especially when decisions directly affect workers’ livelihoods.
MP Omar Ottley, speaking passionately on the need for concrete action, reminded those gathered that political posturing would not feed families nor fix unsafe working conditions, saying,  “We can’t stand by while our essential workers beg for respect. They’re the ones holding this country together.”
Meanwhile, MP Francisco Lacroes urged collaboration over confrontation, calling on the government to “sit down with the unions and find solutions before this island loses the people who risk their lives daily for us.”

Echoing their sentiments, WICSU/PSU President confirmed the union had escalated matters beyond local channels:  “Trade unionism is about the fist, not the waving. And I pull that fist when I need to. Yes, I have reached out to the International Labour Organization and Public Service International because this is no longer about politics; it’s about lives that matter.”

Together, the MPs and union leaders vowed to continue pressing for accountability, better working conditions, and immediate dialogue with the government, warning that further inaction could cripple critical services across the island.

Ottley: “This Is a National Shame”

MP Omar Ottley, himself a former Minister of Public Health, expressed disbelief at the state of affairs.

“I cannot believe that after all these years, the people who save lives, who run into fires, who keep order in our prisons, are being treated like this,” Ottley said. “It’s a national shame.”

He accused the Council of Ministers of “turning their backs” on essential workers while spending millions elsewhere.

“They find money for consultants and travel, but when it’s time to pay the people who actually keep this island running, suddenly there’s a ‘budget issue’? Please.”

Ottley ended with a chilling warning:

“If this government thinks it can continue ignoring its people, I promise you, there will be political consequences.”

Lacroes: “Government Playing Games with People’s Lives”

MP Francisco Lacroes — known for his fiery speeches — lit up the room with an impassioned rebuke.

“The government is playing games with people’s lives,” Lacroes thundered. “You cannot have ambulance workers crying in frustration, firefighters begging for gear, and prison guards going home demoralized. And then you come with excuses about procedures and committees? Stop insulting our intelligence.”

Lacroes called on the Prime Minister and Minister of Justice to face the workers “eye to eye” and explain why signed agreements remain unimplemented.

“Show your face. Don’t hide behind statements. You have time for press conferences, but no time for your workers? Shame!”

Workers United — For the First Time in Years

What made the meeting historic was the rare unity across sectors. Representatives from the Fire Department, Ambulance, Police, Prison, and CPS sat shoulder to shoulder, joined by leaders from the NAPB and WITU, demanding one thing: accountability.

Ambulance workers announced they had officially moved to Level 2 industrial action, signaling potential escalation if the government remains silent.

Prison officers raised concerns about unsafe working conditions and lack of staffing, while CPS employees highlighted chronic underpayment and burnout.

Union Going International

Cannegieter revealed that letters have already been sent to international labor bodies, including the ILO, Public Services International (PSI), and the Caribbean Public Services Association (CPSA).

“If government won’t listen locally, we’ll make sure the world hears,” she warned. “This is not just labor injustice — it’s human rights abuse.”

A Storm Brewing

As the meeting closed, MPs and union leaders stood united — fists raised. Their message was clear: this is not another polite request for dialogue; it’s an ultimatum.

“We will not sit quietly while our workers are disrespected,” MP York concluded. “If government won’t act, then maybe it’s time for a new one that will.”

With unity spreading across essential services and political backing mounting in Parliament, St. Maarten could be on the brink of a major labor showdown — one that may test not only the government’s credibility, but the country’s stability itself.