While we commemorate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, I, James Finies, am not fighting for Bonaire to become independent from the Netherlands. My fight is for the people of Bonaire to be protected under the United Nations Charter and Article 73, as a Non-Self-Governing Territory (NSGT), just like our brothers and sisters in Anguilla, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, and other NSGTs in the Caribbean and other parts of the world.
My struggle has always been for the protection of the people of Bonaire—our rights, our land, our culture, our language, our identity, and our future.
WHY I PROTESTED FOR 222 DAYS: Many Bonerians did not fully understand why, starting in 2014, I protested for 222 days, demanding a referendum. The people of Bonaire deserved the right to decide if they agreed with the constitutional relationship that was being imposed on them.
When the referendum finally took place in December 2015, the people of Bonaire were asked if they agreed with Bonaire’s current constitutional status. 65.5% voted NO. That result should have been a powerful message.
THE CHANGES I WARNED ABOUT: Today, we can see many of the concerns that motivated that struggle: poverty and the high cost of living; inadequate infrastructure; changes to our education system that affect our local language and identity; and continued limitations in healthcare.
Bonaire still faces major challenges in its healthcare system, and many people have lost faith in the service due to repeated disappointments that have caused much suffering and sadness. These are not arguments for independence. They are arguments for more protection, equality, and responsible governance.
INDEPENDENCE IS NOT THE SOLUTION: Bonaire is a small island with a vulnerable economy and limited resources. Independence is not the solution. What we need is a relationship with the Netherlands based on equality, respect, protection, and the right of the people of Bonaire to have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their future.
Self-determination should not be automatically interpreted as independence. Fundamentally, it is about the right of a people to participate freely and meaningfully in determining their political, economic, social, and cultural future.
PROTECT THE PEOPLE AS WE PROTECT BONAIRE: We protect our coral reefs. We protect our flamingos, turtles, mangroves, conch, our donkeys, even the bats, and our natural environment, because we understand that they are precious and are part of what makes Bonaire unique.
The people of Bonaire, our culture, our language, and our identity deserve the same determination and commitment to protection. Development should never happen at the expense of the people who call this island their home.
THE NETHERLANDS MUST FULFILL ITS RESPONSIBILITIES: The Netherlands has responsibilities under international human rights law towards the people of Bonaire. Therefore, our demand is not for the Netherlands to abandon Bonaire. Our demand is for the Netherlands to fulfill its responsibilities and ensure that the rights, dignity, cultural identity, and future of the Bonerian people are protected.
We seek a relationship in accordance with the United Nations Charter, Human Rights Conventions, International Treaties, and International Law, in which Bonaire is not simply governed, but heard, respected, and protected.
Bonaire needs protection, equality, and respect.