08/01/2026
Dia di Emansipashon – 1 di ougùstùs 2026
Riba e Dia di Emansipashon aki, nos ta honra e kurashi, resiliensia i sakrifisio di nos antepasadonan ku a lucha kontra sklabitut i pa e libertat i dignidat ku tur hende meresé.
Miéntras ku sklabitut a wòrdu abolí, su herensia ta sigui pa medio di desigualdat, rasismo, i e efektonan duradero di kolonialismo. E rekonosementu históriko dor di e Asamblea General di Nashonnan Uni na 2026 di e tráfiko transatlántiko i sklabitut di afrikanonan komo e krímen di mas grave kontra humanidat ta marka un paso importante pa bèrdat, hustisia i hustisia reparatorio.
Pa e pueblo di Boneiru Dia di Emansipashon tambe ta un rekordatorio ku e trabou di dekolonisashon ta keda sin kaba. Tur pueblo tin e derecho di preserva su identidad, determina su futuro, y disfruta di su derechonan humano sin discriminacion.
Komo Miembro Asosiá di Komishon di Reparashon di CARICOM i pa medio di nos trabou den seno di COPPPAL, Organisashon di Derechonan Humano di Boneiru ta keda komprometé na avansá hustisia reparatorio, dekolonisashon, igualdat, i rèspèt pa derecho internashonal.
Awe, nos ta kòrda e lucha di nos antepasadonan no solamente ku gratitut pero ku determinashon renobá pa konstruí un futuro fundá riba hustisia, dignidat, igualdat, i libertat pa tur hende.
James Finies
Fundadó, Organisashon di Derechonan Humano di Boneiru (BHRO)
Presidente, Komishon di Dekolonisashon, COPPPAL
BHRO – Miembro Asosiá, Komishon di Reparashon di CARICOM
STATEMENT BY JAMES FINIES
Founder, Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO)
President, Decolonization Committee, COPPPAL
BHRO – Associated Member, CARICOM Reparations Commission
Emancipation Day – 1 August 2026
On this Emancipation Day, we honor the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of our ancestors who fought against slavery and for the freedom and dignity that all people deserve.
While slavery was abolished, its legacy continues through inequality, racism, and the enduring effects of colonialism. The historic recognition by the United Nations General Assembly in 2026 of the transatlantic trafficking and enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity marks an important step toward truth, justice, and reparatory justice.
For the people of Bonaire, Emancipation Day is also a reminder that the work of decolonization remains unfinished. Every people has the right to preserve its identity, determine its future, and enjoy its human rights without discrimination.
As an Associated Member of the CARICOM Reparations Commission and through our work within COPPPAL, the Bonaire Human Rights Organization remains committed to advancing reparatory justice, decolonization, equality, and respect for international law.
Today, we remember the struggles of our ancestors not only with gratitude but with renewed determination to build a future founded on justice, dignity, equality, and freedom for all.
James Finies
Founder, Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO)
President, Decolonization Committee, COPPPAL
BHRO – Associated Member, CARICOM Reparations Commission
