Saba meets with Dutch State Commission to Address Discrimination, Safety, and Social Development
The Hague — On June 13, representatives from the islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Bonaire participated in a working session with the State Commission against Discrimination and Racism, held at the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science in The Hague. The session focused on strengthening collaboration to address systemic discrimination, promote inclusive governance, and ensure the safety and well-being of citizens across the Caribbean Netherlands.
The islands were represented by Island Governor Jonathan Johnson (Saba), Island Governor Alida Francis (Statia), and the Island Secretary of Bonaire Christopher Frans. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Joyce Sylvester, Chair of the State Commission and committee member Erry Stoove, who was accompanied by commission members and research staff.
The State Commission, an independent advisory body established by the Dutch House of Representatives, conducts scientific research and advises on strategies to tackle discrimination and racism across the Kingdom, including in the Caribbean Netherlands. Its focus spans multiple sectors such as public services, education, healthcare, labor, and housing.
Topics and Tools for Tackling Discrimination
During the session, the Commission shared its latest findings, including updates on the “Keer op Keer” study, which explores structural and systemic discrimination in the Netherlands and Europe. Progress reports on public service discrimination, the scope of racism, and personal experiences of exclusion were also presented.
A key topic was the proposal for a Public Sector Equality Duty (PSD), a statutory obligation that would require public institutions to proactively promote equality and prevent discrimination. Inspired by similar laws in the UK and Ireland, this proposal aims to embed equal treatment principles into the core operations of public bodies.
Additionally, the Commission introduced the Discrimination Test for Public Services (Discriminatietoets Publieke Dienstverlening), a diagnostic tool piloted with institutions such as the Municipality of Arnhem, Customs, and DUO. This tool helps organizations assess where policies or decisions may unintentionally result in discriminatory outcomes. Its possible future application in the Caribbean Netherlands was discussed, with interest expressed in exploring local pilots.
Island Perspectives and Shared Concerns
Island Governor Jonathan Johnson highlighted Saba’s deep dependency on Sint Maarten for more than 90% of its goods and services and emphasized the urgency of sustainable infrastructure, such as the development of a new harbor.
Discussions also addressed the limited capacity of critical services on the islands, including the police, customs, and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar). The need for better coordination between local and national governments was underscored, with existing frameworks like the Gezaghebberoverleg seen as key mechanisms for dialogue and policy alignment.
Governor Alida Francis shared insights into Statia’s ongoing efforts to reform its public service systems, noting both progress and the challenges of implementing institutional change within small-scale governance settings. The Island Secretary of Bonaire echoed the importance of inclusive policy development tailored to local realities.
To support continued learning and awareness, the Commission distributed a new essay collection featuring voices and experiences from the Caribbean Netherlands.
Next Steps
This meeting marked a significant step toward a more inclusive national policy framework. It forms part of the lead-up to the Commission’s fourth progress report, to be published in September 2025, which will outline legal options for embedding equality obligations into Dutch legislation.
The governments of Saba, Statia, and Bonaire remain committed to deepening cooperation with the State Commission and other national partners to advance inclusive governance, equitable service delivery, and meaningful action against discrimination and racism.
