Sixteen years after 10-10-10: expert calls for new evaluation of Bonaire’s status
KRALENDIJK – The constitutional reform of 10 October 2010 has not led to administrative stability and socio-economic improvement on Bonaire. This is the conclusion of public administration expert Rianda Sacré in an analysis in the Caribisch Juristenblad (Caribbean Law Journal). She calls for a new evaluation, a joint vision for the future by Bonaire and the Kingdom government, and an independent committee to advise on the island’s future constitutional status.
Today marks sixteen years since the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved. Bonaire, together with Sint Eustatius and Saba, then became a public body within the Netherlands, a form of governance that is largely comparable to a municipality. Sacré works at the Faculty of Law of the University of Curaçao on Bonaire and conducts public administration and legal research on the Caribbean islands. She also evaluates legislation that has been introduced on the BES islands since 2010.
Education and healthcare improved
According to Sacré, education and healthcare have clearly been strengthened since 2010. At the same time, structural problems relating to poverty, housing and administrative capacity persist. “However, the reforms have not contributed to administrative stability and socio-economic improvement,” she writes.
According to the analysis, the introduction of the US dollar in 2011 had a price-driving effect. The cost of living rose considerably as a result, and poverty increased. Sacré says the statutory minimum wage is still not sufficient to cover basic needs.
Population growth is also putting pressure on facilities, such as affordable housing. Bonaire currently has more than 27,000 inhabitants. The CBS (Statistics Netherlands) expects this number to grow to just over 36,000 by 2035.
Administration under pressure
On the administrative front, Sacré points to the small scale of the island. As many tasks have to be carried out as in a Dutch municipality, but by fewer people. The supply of highly educated specialists is small, which means people sometimes end up in positions for which they are insufficiently qualified.
According to the analysis, cooperation between The Hague and Bonaire is also difficult. Administrators often struggle to understand one another due to differences in language, culture and administrative style. Meanwhile, work is underway on a revision of the WolBES, the law that governs the administration of the BES islands. In addition, a separate bill has been submitted to increase the number of members of the island council and the executive council. The law has since been approved and will apply from the 2027 elections.
Earlier evaluations without follow-up
In the referendum of 18 December 2015, more than 65 percent of voters rejected the way in which the direct relationship with the Netherlands had been shaped. That same year, the Spies Committee concluded that the reform had not fully met expectations. The committee considered five years too short for a final verdict and made no recommendations. Neither outcome was followed by further action.
Independent committee
According to Sacré, the situation on Bonaire is now fundamentally different from that in 2015. She therefore calls for a follow-up evaluation, on the basis of which Bonaire and the Kingdom government can draw up a joint vision for the future through 2030.
In addition, she wants an independent committee that makes recommendations at the political-administrative level on the island’s future constitutional position. In her view, this committee could also ensure that the population is well informed, “so that they can make an informed choice when it comes to the definitive status of Bonaire.” Sacré stresses that residents, partly because of their right to self-determination, must be closely involved in this process.
Read the full analysis Vijftien jaar verbonden (Fifteen years connected).
