SABA (THE BOTTOM) - The Island Council want the new Dutch Government to see the establishing of a social minimum based on the actual cost of living included in its coalition agreement. The Island Council on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 adopted a motion which asked the ‘formateur’ and the political leaders working on a new coalition agreement to secure this.

The letter that the Island Council will be sending to the ‘formateur’ and the political parties along with the motion states that the Caribbean Netherlands “deserve a clear place” in the new coalition agreement. The Island Council advocates the establishing of a social minimum as soon as possible based on the actual cost of living. Pending this decision-making and implementation process, citizens who need it should receive a supplement to cover their subsistence costs.

“Despite the many studies and pleas which indicate the establishment of a social minimum as an urgent matter, political The Hague has persistently refused to address the unacceptable socio-economic situation in the Caribbean Netherlands. Through this way we express our common message and concerns to you once again. We urge that this undignified treatment of citizens in the Caribbean Netherlands be corrected,” it was stated in the letter, which was read by Island Council Member Carl Buncamper during Wednesday’s meeting.

Violating duty

In the motion, the Island Council mentioned the various treaties and laws that state that everyone has a right to an adequate standard of living, that everyone should be treated equally and that the Dutch Government is responsible to ensure the subsistence of its population. In the opinion of the Island Council, the Netherlands has been violating its duty of care imposed by (fundamental) laws and treaties.

The motion mentioned the fact that whereas a social minimum based on the necessary cost of living was established for the Netherlands, this was not the case for the Caribbean Netherlands. “The Dutch Government has applied an unnecessary and not convincingly argued differentiation between the Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands.”

Poverty line

Fact is that a large part of the population of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba lives below the poverty line and does not experience an adequate standard of living, including the elderly, children and other vulnerable groups. The results of past reports and research have not translated into the establishing of a social minimum based on the actual cost of living, which is very high on the islands.

The policy of the Dutch Government so far has not led to an improvement of the income position and purchasing power of the islands’ population, or only very marginally. Contrary to the Netherlands, the wages and benefits for many people on the islands remain far below the calculated level of necessary living expenses. “With this the Dutch government has for years knowingly maintained unequal treatment between the population of the Netherlands and the population in the Caribbean Netherlands.”

Unequal treatment

According to the motion, the various reasons used by the Dutch Government not to establish a social minimum that is based on the actual cost of living do not hold. The motion further mentioned that the Dutch Parliament has repeatedly asked the Dutch Government to eliminate the unequal treatment and to establish a social minimum based on the necessary cost of living. The strong opinion of the National Ombudsman with regard to this issue was stated in the motion as well.

All three Caribbean Netherlands islands have now passed a similar motion, the driving force behind this being that they are in agreement that the social minimum should be set and that by adopting these motions, a strong signal is sent to The Hague.

BONAIRE (KRALENDIJK) - As of the 1^st of October 2021, the Judicial Institution Caribbean Netherlands (JICN) will make it possible for detainees to have family visits in the so-called family room. This space offers detainees and their families the opportunity to meet in a homely environment, once the detainee meets the conditions set.

The family room is a specially equipped space within the JICN where detainees can receive their visitors in a homely environment, without a partition being placed between them. The facility is intended to give detainees better opportunities to maintain relationships with their families, especially their children. Maintaining ties with family and friends is an important part of the reintegration process, preparing detainees for reintegration into society.

The family room visit is therefore not a right but a privilege that can only be granted to the detainee if he or she meets a number of strict conditions. For example, the detainee can only submit an application for use of the family room after the first six months in detention and only if he or she shows the desired behaviour within the institution.

A detainee may receive up to three family members at the same time in the family room during the established visiting hours. Under the indirect supervision of a JICN employee, a detainee can spend an hour with the family. Visitors are informed prior to the visit about the rules that apply during the visit in the family room.

The introduction of the family room is a new step in the Detention and Reintegration (D&R) policy of the JICN. By stimulating and rewarding desirable behaviour on the part of the detainee and by punishing undesired behaviour, detainees are motivated to work towards their reintegration as best as possible and to reduce the risk of recidivism. (RCN Caribbean Netherlands)

SINT EUSTATIUS (ORANJESTAD) - The Statia Heritage Research Commission (SHRC) has officially been installed on Friday, September 17^th, 2021. The commission consisting of 15 members will focus on two key points.

One is to evaluate the Golden Rock burial ground and to make recommendations on how to continue with this specific project. In addition, SHCR will provide community and expert opinions on cultural heritage research practices on Statia including recommendations for changes as required by international standards.

SHRC was initiated in July 2021 and started preparations in response to the public criticisms of current heritage research practices and the recent Golden Rock Burial Ground excavation of enslaved Africans.

With the formal decree designated last Friday, September 17th, SHRC consists of 15 members, including 5 Statian Community leaders and 10 Caribbean professionals from six countries. The Chair of the SHRC is Dr. Jay Haviser. He was selected primarily due to his position as President of the International Association for Caribbean Archaeology (IACA), and his decades of experience in the Netherlands Caribbean.

Actions

The first actions of SHRC included the set-up of the commission members and the compilation of issues to be dealt with. The second phase of the SHRC is currently underway, with four separate sub-groups within the SHRC, each having represented a Statia Community leader, an anthropologist, an archaeologist and a heritage specialist. These four sub-groups will assess the situation and will prepare separate evaluations. All four statements will be brought together in a final evaluation document.

A key aspect of the procedural revision recommendations will be to bring the Statia Government up to date with international standards for the handling of human remains and archaeological research. Within international standards (re. IACA, NAGPRA, etc.) the Ancestral Community related to any human burials has priority for research and excavation decisions regarding their ancestors. This involves both initial approval for research and inclusion of the Community in all phases of the archaeological research of their ancestor's remains. An initial role of the SHRC is to determine if these professional practices were conducted appropriately at the Golden Rock Burial Ground excavations by research contractors for SECAR. 

Second and third phase

The second and more significant role of the SHRC is to propose concise recommendations for revisions in government practice and the implementation of international standards for heritage research of ancestral burials on Statia (and the BES islands). It is most beneficial when both community voice and scientific data collection can work together with mutual respect for those ancestors being studied. The SHRC recommendations will include the priority role of the Community Voice in heritage research, the appropriate policies for handling of artifact collections and the re-burial of human remains. The advice will also include practical revisions for research responsibilities, including participation with thorough Community engagement.

During the third phase the SHRC will organize a local Statia Community Inquiry for public opinions on this sensitive issue. A potential Round Table will be planned for public discussion later in the year. The final report of SHRC is scheduled to be submitted to the Statia Government at the end of 2021. (Statia GIS)

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – The Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) has begun their own investigation into alleged signed draft decrees by former Ministers of VROMI between the years 2014-2018 for the area known as 'Over the Bank'.

All persons in possession of signed draft decrees and letters of intent signed in the years 2014-2018 for the area known as 'Over the Bank' are hereby requested to submit to the email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. the following documentation: 1) the submitted request for land with the DIV# on said application, 2) the signed draft decree, 3) the letter of intent from said Minister pertaining to said land located at 'Over the Bank' and 4) a copy of a valid Identification Card or passport.

All documentation as requested above needs to be submitted no later than November 1st, 2021.

Please ensure to also provide your contact information (which must include your current address, phone number and email address [in the event the email address being used to submit the documents is not your own personal email address]).