KRALENDIJK – After more than 1,165 days of international advocacy for the rights of the people of Bonaire, James Finies and Davika Bissessar recently met with Island Governor of Bonaire, John Soliano. The meeting marks an important milestone in the journey undertaken to advocate for Bonaire’s cause on the international stage.
During their travels, Finies and Bissessar met with presidents, prime ministers, heads of government, diplomats, regional and international organizations, and representatives of UN member states, in order to draw attention to Bonaire’s cause and the right to self-determination.
The campaign has also gained significant regional support, with calls for the reinscription of Bonaire on the UN list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
The international effort reached a preliminary high point with the submission of a draft resolution on Bonaire during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The initiative focuses on the status of Bonaire and the obligations of the Kingdom of the Netherlands under Article 73 of the UN Charter.
During the meeting, Finies handed documentation to Lieutenant Governor Soliano regarding this international trajectory in the struggle for the rights of the island’s indigenous population.
Finies says he has now chosen to bring the experiences gained and the international contacts built during this journey back to the island, and to continue his work within the political arena of Bonaire. Those experiences, knowledge, and international network now form the foundation of his political party, and will be used to defend the dignity, rights, and interests of the people, and to contribute to building a more just future.
The human rights work and international advocacy of BHRO will be continued under the leadership of Davika Bissessar-Shaw.
