Whistleblowers on Bonaire, Statia and Saba fear retaliation due to gaps in the law

KRALENDIJK - Those who report integrity violations on Bonaire, Statia and Saba feel insufficiently protected and fear retaliation when they speak up about misconduct. This is the finding of a new study commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). According to the report, a culture of fear, political influence and the small scale of the islands mean that reports of corruption and other integrity violations are often not made.

In the report ‘Integrity Protection’, researchers conclude that whistleblowers in Caribbean Netherlands currently have only limited legal protection. The Dutch Whistleblower Protection Act does not apply to the BES islands. As a result, important safeguards that exist in European Netherlands are absent.

Reports not followed up

According to the researchers, reports are also regularly not acted upon. Interviewees in the study say that cases "disappear into a drawer" or remain unresolved for years. Reports concerning administrators or members of executive councils are said to be rarely filed in practice, due to missing or unclear procedures.

The report sketches a governance culture in which employees fear social exclusion, loss of employment or political retaliation when they report misconduct. Due to the small scale of the islands, anonymity is described by the researchers as virtually impossible. Some interviewees therefore describe whistleblowers as "fair game" or "at the mercy of the gods".

Cronyism

The researchers also point to signs of cronyism and political interference. Examples mentioned include permits not always being issued in accordance with the rules, politically motivated appointments, and tenders not always being awarded to the most suitable party.

Bonaire and Sint Eustatius already have integrity bureaus in place, while Saba is still working on establishing one. According to the report, however, these bureaus struggle with limited capacity, doubts about their independence and insufficient support from management and senior civil servants.

Broad support

At the same time, the study finds that there is broad support across the islands for improving the protection of whistleblowers. The researchers recommend, among other things, making integrity bureaus more independent, expanding legal protections and investing more in training, psychological safety and awareness within government organisations.

According to the report, Caribbean Netherlands can develop into a better-functioning system for integrity and whistleblower protection within three years, provided that structural investment is made in legislation, procedures and cultural change.