THE HAGUE – The United Nations is calling on the Netherlands to more rapidly address the backlogs on Bonaire. The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights wants the disparities between European and Caribbean Netherlands to be reduced, particularly in the areas of poverty, social security, housing, healthcare, and the high cost of living.
In a letter to parliament, the cabinet states that it takes the UN’s recommendations seriously. According to the government, the perspective of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius was explicitly included in its response, after the UN Committee indicated it wanted more information on the implementation of human rights in Caribbean Netherlands.
The UN also calls on the Netherlands to ensure that residents of Bonaire receive the same protection of economic, social and cultural rights as residents of European Netherlands. The island must also be more actively involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of policy. Additionally, the Committee advocates for greater attention to climate adaptation, affordable energy and Bonaire’s resilience to the effects of climate change.
The cabinet notes that measures have been taken in recent years, including increases in minimum wages and benefits, investments in affordable housing, and additional resources to improve basic financial security in Caribbean Netherlands. Nevertheless, the UN underlines that further steps are needed to bridge the gap with European Netherlands.
Background
Since 2016, James Finies has been lobbying the United Nations via the Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO) as an independent representative of civil society regarding the constitutional position of Bonaire. In late 2025, BHRO participated in Geneva in the periodic review of the Netherlands by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the committee that issued the recommendations now published. Participation of civil society organizations in UN human rights mechanisms is separate from the official government delegation and follows the rules of the relevant UN processes. According to BHRO, the organization holds UN accreditation and is an associate member of the CARICOM Reparations Commission.
The parliamentary letter and the accompanying UN recommendations make no mention of individual civil society organizations.
Correction July 15, 2026: An earlier version of this article stated that it is unclear in what formal capacity James Finies participates in UN meetings and how his trips are funded. However, his participation as a representative of civil society is verifiable through public UN registers. Moreover, no opportunity for a response was sought from Finies or the Bonaire Human Rights Organization at the time. The passage has been amended. The editors regret this omission.
