James Finies welcomes CESCR Human Rights Report on Netherlands and Urge Action to Protect Bonaire’s Rights and Culture.

finies17022026The 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.

CPS COVID Vaccines Available for Adults and Children on February 27. Call for an Appointment.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), COVID, would like to inform the general public that the clinic at the CPS Offices at the Vineyard Building Office Park in Philipsburg, is open for COVID vaccines by appointment only, and the next available date is February 17.

The CPS clinic is open for COVID vaccines for persons aged 12 and older on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

Due to limited supply, CPS is requesting persons to call or email for an appointment by calling 914 (option 4) or 542-1570, or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The booster is entirely free of charge and voluntary.

Please bring your vaccination card and a form of Identification (ID) when you have an appointment.
The COVID-19 virus has not disappeared. While the peak of the pandemic is in the past, the virus remains an active presence.
Routine prevention remains essential for public safety.

GEBE Supervisory Board Shake-Up amid Resignations and Government Intervention.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The embattled Supervisory Board of Directors (SBOD) at NV GEBE has once again found itself at the center of controversy, as two members, former Minister of Justice and Prime Minister Denis Richardson and Charles Sydney, tendered their resignations last week. Their terms, originally set to expire in October 2026, were cut short amidst mounting chaos within the organization. Meanwhile, the terms of Anthony Brooks and Chairman Denisio Boasman have also come to an end, leaving the SBOD in a state of flux.

In a decisive move, the government has stepped in to appoint four new members to the SBOD: Henry Ellis, Julian Lake, Mario Gumbs, and Attorney-at-Law Thaisa Heymans. This new board is expected to comply with shareholders' directives and implement the urgent relief measures outlined by the Council of Ministers.

The intervention comes at a critical juncture for NV GEBE, a government-owned utility company plagued by governance issues and internal strife. Last Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten announced that she issued a directive for GEBE to submit its tariff structure within 30 days, signaling the government’s intent to restore order and accountability.

A Legacy of Dysfunction

The recent resignations and appointments signal a significant shift in NV GEBE's leadership, following a period of mounting challenges. With the departure of Denis Richardson and Charles Sydney, alongside the conclusion of terms for Anthony Brooks and Chairman Denisio Boasman, the Supervisory Board has undergone a substantial overhaul.

The government’s swift action to appoint four new members, including Henry Ellis, a former VROMI Inspector, Julien Lake ( TELEM Employee), Mario Gumbs (TELEM Employee), and Attorney-at-Law Thaisa Heymans ( Attorney for Brooks and Associates), reflects an urgent effort to stabilize the organization. This new board is tasked with addressing shareholder directives and implementing the relief measures outlined by the Council of Ministers, as the company faces increasing scrutiny over its operations and governance.

A Call for Accountability

The appointment of the new SBOD members represents a glimmer of hope for NV GEBE’s future. However, the road to recovery will be fraught with challenges. The new board must act swiftly to address the concerns of shareholders, employees, and the public. Failure to do so will only perpetuate the cycle of dysfunction that has come to define NV GEBE.

The people of St. Maarten deserve better. In the meantime, the government has announced the appointment of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help steer NV GEBE forward. However, no Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has been appointed, as an investigation is currently underway regarding the candidate CEO, who previously served as the Temporary Manager of NV GEBE following the passing of former Temporary Manager Troy Washington. It is time for decisive action to end this ongoing saga and restore stability at NV GEBE. Anything less would be a betrayal of public trust.

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