Organization the special status of Associate Member
With great appreciation to Davika Bissessar Shaw and Mr. James Finies on behalf of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO) accepted the honour at the invitation of the Chairman of the CARICOM Reparation Commission (CRC) Professor Hilary Beckles. Finies confirmed the acceptance of Bonaire Human Rights Organization as Associate Member, at the historic CRC meeting on April 25, 2023, on behalf of our Bonaire ancestors. Our forefathers enslaved the whole family, men, women and children. Sentenced slaves from our ancient island, who were to work as punishment, died in the salt marshes of Bonaire. With their short lives, their sweat, their blood and their tears, they cultivated, harvested, loaded ships and transported thousands and thousands of tons of White Gold — salt — to the Netherlands, to grow the pillar of their economy, the fishery, to grow their economy and enrich them to become one of the richest nations in the world. All this was done because of the hard work of our forefathers, who lived a short life in these horrible fields. For reparative justice, we have further received and dedicated this honor in the name of our Bonerian hero: Martis di Catalina Janga
Special recognition: In her letter of invitation on behalf of the CARICOM Reparation Commission, President Professor Hilary Beckles recognizes the significant contributions of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization in the defense of human rights.
Brief description of CARICOM Repair Commission: The CARICOM Repair Commission (CRC) was established following the decision at the thirty-fourth (34) Regular Meeting of Heads of State, held in July 2013 in Trinidad and Tobago. The CRC was assigned to provide advice, coordinate the overall strategy of national and regional activities to study Repair. Implemented
for this through research, public education, legal case preparation and damages, diplomacy, civil society partnerships, youth participation and advocacy. This is the first time in history that Bonaire has regional and international representation for human rights at the CARICOM level. BHRO looks forward to beginning to work with the great minds of the Recovery Commission to bring prosperity to our great region and people we call the Caribbean, as we all share common stories, challenges, traumas and triumphs. Even though the Dutch colonists separated us and continue to do so, it’s as if we all came in the same boat, we’re reunited as regional neighbors, as if we, over the years, have encountered many of the same obstacles, broken down the same walls, conquered the same challenges. And indeed, we owe it to one another to recognize that we are and always will be in this together.
