Regional Conference on "Last Colonies in the Caribbean" adopts resolutions on decolonisation, other international issues

The International Conference on The Last Colonies in the Caribbean organized by the Independence for St. Martin Foundation convened at the University of St. Martin from March 6 – 8, 2015.

Dr. Rhoda Arindell, organizer (photo by OTR)

The official opening ceremony of the conference was held on the evening of March 6, and was attended by senior political leaders, members of civil society representatives, students and members of the Sint Maarten/St. Martin community. The conference resumed on March 7 at the University of St. Martin with a series of substantive discussions. The sessions began with a panel on Youth, Education and Independence, followed by a Case Study on the U.S. Virgin Islands presented by Attorney Genevieve Whitaker of St. Croix.

Other panels focused on the Economic Viability of an Independent St. Martin; Labour and Independence; Education and Independence, and Political System and Checks/Balances.

The conference adopted four resolutions which are shown below (OTR edited). The resolutions will be sent to the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General; the U.N. Decolonisation Committee; the Chairman of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); the Organisation of American States (OAS); the European Union (EU); the governments of France, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea; the governments and parliaments of the territories represented at the conference; other relevant authorities and non governmental organisations.

Conference panelists  (photo by OTR)

CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS    

Decolonization

Acknowledging the importance of this conference as an effective forum to renew focused discussion on matters concerning Non-Self-Governing Territories in the Caribbean, 

Considering that discussion about the actual situation of Non-Self-Governing Territories in the Caribbean have been sparse and in-between, thus creating the impression that peoples in said territories have embraced the status quo as “permanent” and therefore not deserving of change;

Declaring that there is an urgent need for the unfinished task of decolonization in the Caribbean to be placed again on the agenda of CARICOM and other international fora and be made a priority until the process is satisfactorily completed;

Realizing that unity, cooperation and mutual assistance are crucial for each remaining territory to achieve full decolonization in this world of globalization;

Reaffirming that until the last colonies in the Caribbean have been fully decolonized, the goals of regional cooperation, integration, democracy and development will remain a pipe-dream;

Resolve to:

1. Communicate with one another regarding the progress each one is making in the decolonization process;

2. Cooperate with one another in an attempt to hasten the decolonization process on each non-self-governing territory;

3. Pledge mutual support, solidarity and exchange of ideas, information, tactics, as well as strategies pertinent to the decolonization process in the Caribbean and elsewhere;

4. Applaud the initiative taken by the Independence for St. Martin Foundation in organizing this conference and recommends that similar conferences be held on a rotation basis in the Caribbean at least once a year.

Attorney Genevieve Whitaker of St. Croix (photo by OTR)

United Nations Reinscription

Considering that the United Nations states that only 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remain today and in view of its declaration of the period 2011 -2020, a period that is only five years away, as the Third Decade for the Eradication of Colonies; 

Taking into account that several of the non-self-governing territories in the Caribbean represented at this conference consider their territories to be colonies, no matter what definition of colony is propounded; 

Cognisant of the fact that to be able to garner international support for their struggle for political freedom, their respective territories have to be re-listed by the UN as still non-self-governing; 

Considering that, in particular, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, since the Charter of 1954, has consistently and repeatedly stated that it recognizes the right to self-determination of all its six possessions in the Caribbean, to wit, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Martin (South), 

Noting that this right to self-determination of the island territories has been reiterated at several constitutional conferences within the Kingdom ever since; 

Realizing that the vast majority of the remaining colonies in the world are found in the Caribbean region; 

Declaring that colonization in any shape or form, regardless of the level of autonomy or so-called integration of the non-self-governing territory granted by the Administering Power, is in crucial contradiction to all known principles of democracy; 

Acknowledging that there are significant voices being raised on several of the remaining colonies in the Caribbean for sovereignty of their respective territories; 

Recognizing and reconfirming the ongoing and legitimate role of the United Nations in the decolonization process, especially through the UN Special Committee on Decolonization; 

Resolve as follows: 

1. To call on the UN to reinstate those remaining colonies who request such on its list of Non-Self-Governing Territories; 

2. To request the active support of CARICOM, OECS and the OAS in particular, and other international bodies and organizations in furthering the valid cause of decolonization in the Caribbean, through their individual respective representations at the UN and other such organizations; 

3. To request the UN, through its Special Committee on Decolonization, to speed up action in and to continue providing support until all outstanding decolonization issues were resolved in a satisfactory manner, so that there would be no need to establish a Fourth Decade for the Eradication of Colonies in the world; 

4. To request all those states with administering powers over the remaining colonies to cooperate in the UN decolonization process; 

5. To demand that the results of free and fair constitutional referenda – whenever these are in favor of political independence – be recognized and respected as the popular expression of the people of that territory to attain independence; To urge ALL member states of the UN to continue to stand resolutely behind the legitimate desires for political independence of the peoples in the remaining colonies in the Caribbean.

From left, panelists  Joseph H. Lake, Jr., Shujah Reiph and Claire Eischot (photo by OTR)

RESOLUTION

Reparatory Justice

Considering that the present situation in the Caribbean, and in particular, the colonial situation in the non-independent territories in this region are a direct result of centuries of exploitation, dehumanization, genocide and oppression which the Atlantic Slave Trade, colonialism and neo-colonialism represent;

Agreeing that Slavery is a crime against humanity that has no statutes of limitation until reparatory justice has been achieved; 

Taking into account that the CARICOM Heads of Government, has established the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) and subsequently endorsed the latter’s Ten Point Plan of Action; 

Reiterating our belief that reparatory justice is not only a moral obligation, but also one of integrity and a legal right of the Caribbean people and others who have endured a similar historical trauma; 

Concurring that Reparations is not just about writing a check to finally pay for the forced and unpaid labor for centuries of our ancestors; 

Hereby resolves as follows: 

1. To endorse and fully support the leadership of CARICOM in the quest for reparatory justice for our people; 

2. To endorse and fully support the Ten Point Plan of Action of the CARICOM Reparatory Commission; 

3. To encourage all the remaining colonies in the Caribbean, particularly those attending this conference, to establish National Reparations Commissions along the lines established by CARICOM; 

4. To call on all other nations and regional and international organizations to support the efforts and initiatives of CARICOM, including the legal suit it has filed against the UK, France, Spain and The Netherlands, in particular, for reparations 

5. To undertake public awareness campaigns to raise consciousness in the region and beyond about the need for reparations and the efforts that are being undertaken to achieve this. 

6. To alert the various educational authorities in the Caribbean to include the study of Slavery and Reparations in their school curricula.

Dr. Maria van Enckevort (photo by OTR) 

Support for the people of West Papua

Considering that the ongoing struggle and resistance of the People of West Papua against the illegal occupation of their land, the systematic oppression, incarceration and murder of those fighting for their political freedom by the government of Indonesia

Declaring their faith and confidence in Mr. Benny Wanda, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and acknowledged leader of the international campaign for a free West Papua;

Reiterating that the United Nations General Assembly in its Resolution 69/119 declared the period 2011 – 2020 the Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, which is now only five years away from expiration;

Agreeing that the right to self-determination is an inalienable right of the people of West Papua, which should be freely and democratically expressed;

Resolve to 

1. Support the legitimate struggle of the People of West Papua for the independence of their country;

2. Support the calls for a free and fair referendum in West Papua for West Papuans to determine their own political future;

3. Calls on the international community to extend similar support to the People of West Papua and raise global awareness about their ongoing struggle;

4. Calls on regional bodies, in particular, the OECS, CARICOM and OAS, to use their good offices to seek a peaceful and democratic process which would lead to the independence of West Papua.

Members of the Conference Organising Committee at close of the Conference 
(photo by OTR)

United Nations to Commemorate International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

UN to unveil permanent memorial in New York honouring victims of transatlantic slave trade

UNITED NATIONS PRESS RELEASE

24 March 2015 – A permanent memorial to honour the victims of one of the most horrific tragedies of modern history will be revealed at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday, when the world marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the United Nations, entitled ‘The Ark of Return,’ is designed by Rodney Leon, an American architect of Haitian descent. It pays tribute to the courage of slaves, abolitionists and unsung heroes while promoting greater recognition of the contributions made by slaves and their descendants to societies worldwide.

“It is absolutely vital that the dangers inherent in racism are made crystal clear to all,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “The Ark of Return will bring home to people around the world the terrible legacy of the slave trade. It will help us to heal as we remember the past and honour the victims.”

The memorial aims to remind visitors of the complete history of slavery, urging them to acknowledge the tragedy and its legacy, and to heighten awareness of the current dangers of racism, prejudice and slavery’s lingering consequences that continue to impact the descendants of slavery’s victims today.

An international committee was established in 2009 to oversee the project of placing the memorial on the UN’s grounds. In 2013, the committee chose Rodney Leon’s design following an international competition featuring 310 entries from 83 countries.

The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade has been marked on 25 March in each of the last seven years to honour the memories of the estimated 15 million men, women and children who were victims of the largest forced migration in history.

This year’s theme, ‘Women and Slavery,’ pays tribute to the women victims and to those who fought for freedom from slavery and for its abolition. It also celebrates the strength of enslaved women, who succeeded in transmitting their African culture to their descendants.

“Women slaves played a key role in maintaining the dignity of their communities. Too often their leadership and brave resistance have been underestimated or forgotten,” said Mr. Ban.

Other events taking place at UN Headquarters on the International Day include a special commemorative meeting of the General Assembly where the historian and slave-trade expert Sylviane Diouf will deliver the keynote address; a culinary event at which chef Pierre Thiam will present a range of food illustrating the impact of the Middle Passage on culinary traditions in the countries that participated in the transatlantic slave trade; and performances by drummers and dancers of the Djoniba Dance and Drum Centre.

Desmond Tutu again calls for U.N. review of West Papua status

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu Renews Call for UN Review of West Papuan Self-Determination

tabloidjubi.com 

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu with Benny Wenda in St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town, South Africa. 27th Feb 2015 – Free West Papua Campaign

Jayapura, Jubi/Press Release – On 27th February 2015 Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu met with West Papuan independence leader and founder of the Free West Papua Campaign, Benny Wenda, in Cape Town, South Africa. He has released the following statement renewing his call for the UN to instigate an investigation into the so called Act of ‘Free’ Choice in which Indonesia unlawfully annexed West Papua in 1969.

“I’m shocked to learn that West Papua is still not free. I didn’t think that things like this still happened. I call on the United Nations and all the relevant bodies, please, do what is right, as they know, for West Papua.” Archbishop said.

“We can’t have some people in the world free and others not free. As long as there is one person not free, we are all not free.” Archbishop added.

Archbishop said, he is very, very distressed and pray that Indonesia and other countries will do what is right.

“Because it is not their (West Papua’s) gift, it is their right as the children of god. Next time I see you (Benny), you will have a West Papuan passport,” Archbishop promised to Benny Wenda.

In 2004 Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu stated to the UN, “It is with deep concern I have learned about the United Nations’ role in the takeover of West Papua by Indonesia, and in the now-discredited “Act of ‘Free’ Choice” of 1969. Instead of a proper referendum, where every adult, male and female had the opportunity to vote by secret ballot on whether or not they wished to be part of Indonesia, just over 1,000 people were hand-picked and coerced into declaring for Indonesia in public in a climate of fear and repression,”

One of the senior UN officials at the time, Chakravarthy Narasimhan, has since called the process a “whitewash”.

A strong United Nations will be capable of, among other things, acknowledging and correcting its mistakes.

“I would like to add my voice to growing international calls for the UN Secretary General to instigate a review of the UN’s conduct in relation to the now-discredited “Act of ‘Free’ Choice”,” Archbishop promised again. (*)

Results of Bonaire elections - Coalition to be formed

Illustration by Bonaire Reporter

The March 18 Election Results

Bonaire Reporter

Bonaireans have chosen the political parties who will represent them in the Island Council but exactly who will lead the people via the Executive Council has yet to be decided.

The Island Councils are the elected people's representatives of each of the public bodies of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba - and previously of each of the island territories of the Netherlands Antilles. The Island Council supervises the island's Executive Council, which is composed of a Lieutenant Governor, Island Secretary and several members appointed by the Council. The Island Council may be compared to a town council. Like the town council, the Island Council is elected for a period of four years.

The number of members of the Island Council differs per island: Bonaire: 9 seats; St Eustatius: 5 seats; Saba: 5 seats

In last Wednesday’s Island Council elections in Bonaire Elvis Tjin Asjoe’ s “Movementu di Pueblo Boneriano” (MPB) beat Clark Abraham’s “Partido Demokratiko Boneriano” (PDB) by just 33 votes and the former top vote getter James Kroon/s “Union Partriotiko Boneriano” (UPB) by 462 in Wednesday’s Island Council election, but each party ended up with three of the nine seats.

None of the four other parties PHU led by Heinrich Prinsen/Michel Bijkerk (645), Lista 7 of Eric Soleana (406), Tim Magno (364) and AKB Christians (215) received enough votes for a seat, even though they needed only 75 per cent of the number required to earn a seat outright to vie for a possible residual seat.

The MPB’s “Aruba Style” campaign was the most visible campaign while the UPB and PDB got going later. Before the elections MPB leader Elvis Tjin Asjoe promised he would not work with his UPB former party. A coalition between traditional rivals PDB and UPB would be historic if it happens.

The turnout (78%) was close to the 80% considered respectable compared to the 74% in 2011. However, in Saba The voter’s turnout percentage was a staggering 91.3 per cent With the WIPM party the biggest winner..

St. Eustatius voters opted for a coalition government in Wednesday’s Island Council elections, as none of the six parties in the polls emerged with the needed three or more seats in the Island Council. Statia had a 65.5% voter turnout.

Since October 2010, when the islands of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba became part of the Dutch Electoral Act applied to all elections on these islands, as well as in the European Netherlands. While the results from those Provincial Elections for the Senate and Water Boards will not be available until March 23 it appears that The Dutch center-right government will lose a third of its seats in the Senate (upper house of parliament).

_____________________________________________________

Analysis by James Finies, Nos Ke Boneiru Bek   

Resultado elekshon abase di enganjo i manipulashon no ta refleho demokratiko di posishon Boneiru riba struktura estatal.

E resultado di elekshon kaminda ku tres partido, UPB , MPB i Demokrat a reparti e asientonan igual den nan tres a wordu interpreta dor di analistanan ku e e mayoría di pueblo Boneriano ta di akuerdo ku e posishon aktual estatal den Hulanda. Nos semper a boga pa referéndum tuma lugar prome ku elekshon pa e simpel motibu ku Hulanda lo juda dividi, guía, kumpra i hinka e pueblo Boneriano den e trampa aki ku judansa di kolaboradornan di Boneiru. Motibunan simpel pa komprende ta pasobra e pueblo Boneriano ta bini di un kultura i tradishon folkloristiko emoshonal di vota basa riba patronahe politiko, pues favor, trabao, tereno, favor, famia, amistad, kumpramentu di voto, enganjo i manipulashon di informashon i asta leynan. I awor den e elekshon aki ta binia aserka involvimentu di e pueblo Hulandes ku su votadonan imigrando di Hulanda Oropeo repopulando nos isla Boneiru, Hulanda Karibense a influensia nos proseso demokratiko. Tambe mester tene kuenta ku e administrashon i registrashon ta den nan mes man nos i ku eksperensianan di e tantisismo kasonan direkshon di sabotahe elektoral i dimes direkshon i na favor di Hulanda i su partidonan ku e ta sostene. E partidonan UPB i MPB ku tabatin e posishon di keda den Hulanda, sigui den e direkshon aki den Hulanda subordina i sin derecho demokratiko, kontra nos derecho, i ambos ku a opone na referendum na ultimo ora un siman prome ku elekshon publikamente a deklara ku nan tambe ta pro organisa un referendum pa e pueblo porfin por duna su opinión riba e struktura ku a dune asina tantu sufrimentu i hasie infelis. Pues e votadornan ku según enkuestanan ku a wordu tene prome ku elekshon ku mas ku 60% ta kontra e struktura aki i tambe eksperiensa di kampanjadornan di e partidonan aki a eksperensia ku e pueblo en general su prioridat tabata referéndum i asta no tabata tuma sen pa kumpra nan dignidat, nan isla i nan voto pasobra ta referéndum nan ke. Dor di e deklarashonnan manipulativo i enganjoso di e lidernan politikonan di e partidonan ku semper tabata kontra referéndum, e votadornan a bolbe kere i konfia nan i no mester a kambia di partido i tradishon i vota kontra nan pa hanja referéndum pasobra nan mes partido a priminti nan ku lo organisa referéndum pa nan. Pues e konklushon ku 60% di e pueblo Boneriano a vota pa keda den Hulanda, e estado ilegal aki, ta basa riba enganjo i manipulashon di organisa un referéndum pa nan i tambe manipulashon di líder di MPB ku autonomía flexibel integra den Hulanda. Tristu ku nos lidernan ta ninga di komprende ku referéndum o e derecho di e pueblo den su totalidat pa skohe su mes struktura i destino ta su desishon so i no di ningún líder o partido ni esun ka gana elekshon ku su poder i durashon ta di kuater(4) anja, pero eskoho i desishon estatal ta solamente di e pueblo so i den su totalidat. Finalisando uniko manera ku por legalisa e struktura aki i trese pas i unión bek na Boneiru ta pa duna pueblo bek su derecho di por ekspresa su mes den referéndum i no den ningún elekshon di konseho insular. 

American Samoan Delegate to Congress says political status issues should be decided by the people, not by the U.S. courts

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i


Am. Congresswoman: Citizenship Issue Should Be Decided By Territory; Federal Courts should not be involved in ‘political status question’

By Fili Sagapolutele

Samoanews

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, March 16, 2015) – Congresswoman Aumua Amata says the citizenship lawsuit appeal pending in the federal appeals court in Washington D.C. is a "political status question" for the people of American Samoa to decide on, and not for a federal court thousands of miles away in the nation’s capital.

She also says that she is looking at federal legislation to amend federal law, which would simplify the process for U.S. Nationals seeking to obtain U.S. Citizenship.

Aumua’s comments were made during her first town hall meeting last Thursday with local residents. She was responding to questions raised by military veteran Morgan Suapilimai, who claimed that there are a lot of veterans who are supportive of automatic U.S. citizenship for persons born in American Samoa.

Oral arguments were made last month before a panel of three judges at the federal appeals court, on the citizenship lawsuit filed by eight U.S. nationals led by local resident Leneuoti Tuaua. The plaintiffs also include the Los Angeles-based Samoan Federation of America, a non-profit organization.

In her response to Suapilimai’s question, Amata explained that the citizenship lawsuit is a question on whether U.S. Nationals— who are persons born in American Samoa—have a Constitutional birthright to be automatic U.S. citizens— or is this a Congressional process.

She said that last year, she travelled to 13 different military installations across the county, and the citizenship question came up many times.

"What I feel, is that U.S. Nationals here on island have a different priority than the U.S. Nationals in the States" when it comes to the U.S. citizenship issue, she said, adding that U.S. nationals in the States are involved in the communities where they live and settle, and want to become U.S. citizens.

On the other hand, U.S. nationals in the territory "deal with faasamoa and everything else and they’re a little afraid of the U.S. citizen status, because they feel that it might jeopardize our faaaganu’u [our faasamoa]," she said.

"What I would propose to do— and all of these proposals will have to be cleared by our people and leaders—is amend the [federal] Immigration and Nationality Act, to allow the simplification of the procedure to become a U.S. citizen," she said, adding that only Congress can make this necessary change in the procedure.

She went on to explain that a U.S. national is a non U.S. citizen who owes permanent allegiance to the United States, and a U.S. citizen is also an individual who owes permanent allegiance to the United States.

"To me they are the same, except one has a different label from the other… it was put there in 1900 and it was a way for the United States... to somehow help us hang on to our culture, our language and our customs," she said.

As far as the lawsuit in federal court, Aumua said, "that is a political status question and we must not allow that political status question to be solved in court" thousands of miles away in Washington D.C.

"This is a question for our people to decide," she said, adding that she doesn’t agree to having a federal court decide the citizenship issue.

Pulu Ae Ae Jr., the Congresswoman’s local District Office director, reminded the audience that American Samoa remains an unorganized and unincorporated territory of the U.S. and that he disagrees with automatic citizenship for U.S. nationals.

He also shared his own views on this matter, saying that American Samoa will be faced with many problems if automatic citizenship is granted to persons born in the territory, and among those problems, will be the federal government "taking our land and imposing federal taxes on us just like what’s been done to other states."

Pulu went on to say that he believes that some U.S. nationals want automatic citizenship to avoid having to pay the high cost of obtaining U.S. citizenship.

NEW FILING

Last week, U.S. Assistant Attorney Wynne P. Kelly filed a one-paragraph letter with the clerk of the Court of Appeals to address any misimpression that may have been left after oral arguments on Feb. 9 that the federal government would concede that it could not prevail in a hypothetical case where the American Samoan government supported the plaintiffs’ position.

Kelly said the federal government’s "position, as their brief reflects, has been, and continues to be, that its position is fully consistent with federal law, and thus the American Samoan government’s support of the Federal [government’s]position is not dispositive for the Government to prevail on the issue before the Court."

The federal government’s letter was published by an off-island online group, and some local and off island American Samoans had interpreted the letter as indicating that ASG was changing its stand and heading toward supporting the plaintiffs.

Responding to Samoa News request for comments and reaction on the federal government’s letter, Michael F. Williams— attorney for ASG and for Congresswoman Aumua in the appeal—said the letter is to clarify that the federal government’s position in the case would not change if ASG or the Congresswoman changed their views on the case.

Additionally, the letter was intended to clear up confusion that might have resulted from the United States’ response to a question raised at the oral argument.

"To be sure, the letter is addressing a hypothetical situation because the American Samoa Government and Congresswoman Amata continue to believe that the status of American Samoans is a question for the American Samoan people to decide, not a question for courts in Washington, D.C.," he stressed.

The citizenship lawsuit, with a decision due out later this year, picked up national attention last week on John Oliver’s HBO program "Last Week Tonight", in which the issue of U.S. territories being unable to vote for the U.S. President— and the fact that American Samoans are not U.S. citizens— was discussed on national television.

Oliver said people from Guam still get a better deal than those from American Samoa—the only U.S. territory where citizenship is not inherited at birth.

"The American part of American Samoa is really a title that doesn't mean anything," said Oliver, "like 'People's Choice Award nominee' or 'social media expert.'"

“Hawaiʻi A Voice For Sovereignty” to be Aired in U.S.on March 22

MAUI NOW

Hawaiian flag. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

A documentary film entitled Hawaiʻi A Voice for Sovereignty will be broadcast nationally on PBS stations affiliated with the First Nations Experience Network.

The film will air in eight states on... March 22, 2015.  The latest broadcast schedule does not include Hawaiʻi.  (A complete listing is available below.)

The award winning documentary focuses on the Native Hawaiian struggle to reconnect to the land and to obtain sovereign rights after the illegal takeover of by US businessmen and military on Jan. 17, 1893.

On November 23, 1993, President William Jefferson Clinton signed United States Public Law 103-150, also known as the “Apology Resolution,” acknowledging the 100th anniversary of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and offering an apology to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the United States.

In the film, photojournalist and producer Catherine Bauknight explores the Native Hawaiian culture and the social, economic and ecological issues that have developed since the overthrow.

“I have witnessed firsthand what happens when a small, sustainable society is separated from their land, fresh water and ocean resources and then converted for profit by western powers,” said Bauknight in a press release statement.

“Today, with over 8 million tourists a year crowding their small and ecologically-fragile islands, the Hawaiians are disconnected from their own land and suffer some of the highest rates per capita of poverty, homelessness, health issues related to diet and incarceration in the state. My goal is to continue to share the story to assist the Hawaiian’s ongoing struggle for sovereign rights and their efforts as stewards of the land to protect what’s left from further destruction.”

The documentary was initially released in 2012, and has since been shown internationally at various festivals, screenings, and events.

It was recently honored with the “Best Global Documentary Film Creating Change” during the Pacific Talent Film Festival in Los Angeles, California.  Here in the islands, it earned the Audience Award for Best Hawaiʻi Film at the Maui Film Festival.  Other accolades include the Mana Wairoa Award from the Maori Film Festival, and the Best Global Documentary Film Creating Change from the Pacific Talent Film Festival.

The soundtrack for the film features some of Maui’s talented musical artists including:Richard Hoʻopiʻi, George Kahumoku, Willie K, Keʻeaumoku Kapu, Charles Kaʻupu, Kealiʻi Blaisdell, and Wilmont Kahaialiʻi.

***View Hawaiʻi A Voice for Sovereignty trailer.

BROADCAST SCHEDULES:

 6:30 p.m. PT, 9:30 p.m. EST on Feb. 22 and March 22, 2015.

• Alaska: KUAC Channel-9.4
• California: Greater Los Angeles Area – FNX available on Verizon Fios-KVCR (channel 471); Direct TV KVCR 24-2 (channel 24.2 Over the Air), and locally (channel 24.2) in the greater Los Angeles; KEET TV Channel-13.4 (California Public Television for the Northcoast; Eureka, Hoopa & Fortuna); KJHP-LP Channel-18 (Morongo Valley)
• Illinois: Chicago WYCC PBS Channel-20.2
• Indiana: Comcast Channel-373
• Minnesota: Paul Bunyan Channel-173; Lakeland Public Television (LPTV) in Bemidji Channel-9.2; Lakeland Public Television (LPTV) in Brainerd Lakes Channel-22.2; Mid Continent Communications Channel-595
• Oklahoma: Cat Channel-47
• Utah: UEN Channel-9.3
• Wyoming: K32EL-D Channel-32.1

Bonaire Activist comments on "illegal" political status on eve of territory's election (Dutch)

Aan: De gezaghebber van het eilandgebied van Bonaire, dhr E Rijna en Minister van Binnenlandse zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties, Dhr. Plasterk Plaza Wilhelmina 1 

Bonaire, 17 maart 2018 

Betreft: verkiezing van de leden van de eilandsraad 18 maart 2015

Uit

James Finies

Postbus 341 

Kralendijk, Bonaire

Geachte Gezaghebber en Minister, 

In verband met de te houden ER-leden verkiezing van 18 maart a.s. breng ik U het volgende onder Uw aandacht:

-in 2004 is er een referendum gehouden die een fraudulente process heeft doorlopen en geen internationaal rechtsbasis bezit om de huidige staatsstructuur te hebben opgelegd op onze volk en niet het legitieme volkenrechterlijk stem geniet.

-op 10 Oktober 2010 is het autonome land Nederlandse Antillen ontbonden zonder de legitieme toestemming van het Antilliaanse volk (non-dissolution-principle) en tegen het stem van het volk van St Eustatius in.

-in december 2010 is er een referendum gehouden die de ilegale status van integratie in Nederlands staatsbestel als “openbaar lichaam” onder artikel 134 had moeten legitimeren. Dit nadat de afgesproken referendum in maart 2010 door de on-democratische vertegenwoordigers van het Nederlands belang gezaghebber Thode en gouverneur Goedgedrag op international-rechterlijke betwistbare redenen, waarbij volkenrechterlijk referenda verzwaardere eisen kan worden opgevoerd om de binding met het gebied te waarborgen hebben vernietigd. De vraag stelling: “ Ik ben er het ermee eens, dat Bonaire een openbaar lichaam is geworden in de zin van van artikel 134 van de Nederlandse grondwet: “Ja” of “Nee”. Dus de legitimatie van deze illegal status dat de bedoeling was van deze referenum is ook tot vandaag nog steeds uitgebleven , door de duidelijke afwijzing en sabotage van het referendum en tot op dit moment nog niet en nooit uitgebrachte rapport van de Verenigde Naties supervision.

-de eilandsraadsverkiezing van 8 maart 2011 had geen rechtsbasis door het niet legitimeren van de illegale OLB status door de referendum van december 2010. En bovendien heeft het volk ook de partij UPB die de status van OLB steunde en trok afgewezen en stemden op de andere partijen , PDB, PHU en MLB die een referendum wilden om het volk zich uit te laten spreken over hun toekomst.

-in september 2011 heeft dmv de gezaghebber Thode en de rijksvertegenwoordiger Stolte beiden a-politiek en on-democratisch vertegenwoordigers van Nederlands belang, door politieke interventie in de lokale politiek, de rechtmatige regerende koalitie gedestabiliseerd met het gevolg met het val van de koalitie en vormen van de huidige koalitie die ondemocratisch(met ca 1000 minderheids-stemmen) tot nu toe heeft geregeerd. 

-in september 2012 heeft het Boneriaans(en BES) bevolking weer uitdrukkelijk deze status, door de opgelegde 2de kamer-verkiezingen die ook een “verkapte legitimatie van deze status zou kunnen worden” afgewezen als hun volks-vertegenwoordigers (ca 80%).

-in mei 2014 heeft het Boneiraans(en BES) bevolking weer uitdrukkelijk deze status en Europese parlament verkiezing afgewezen(ca 80%).

-in december 2014 heeft St Eustatius een referendum georganiseerd waar u op de hoogte ben dat er hevig is gesaboteerd door de verantwoordelijke authoriteiten maar wel weer een duidelijk beeld en signaal gaf van de onvrede en opgelegde status van openbaar lichaam overduidelijk afwees en koos voor hun rechtmatige onschendbaar recht op zelf-bestuur of autonomie. 

Al deze feitelijke officiele legale intenties om subtiel via een verkapte democratie deze illegale status te legaliseren is zoals u ook weet door onze volk afgewezen, en niet eens mee te voegen de talloze protestacties, handtekening-acties, enz, tenzij U blijft doorzetten met het forceren van deze illegale status die het Boneriaans volk totzover heeft verdeeld en ongelukkig houdt. Nu is weer een oproep voor de Boneriaanse bevolking te gaan stemmen voor de eilandsraadsleden op 18 maart 2015. U gaf diverse malen aan dat deze eilandsraadsleden verantwoordelijk zijn voor het referendumwet en organiseren hiervan. En u zal ook weten dat er na 2004 oplopend tot un een bevolkings-imigratie-groei explosie was, 400% stijging waarvan de overgrote meerderheid Europese Nederlanders die naar hun (ei)land Nederland in de cariben, Caribisch Nederland, openbaar lichaam Bonaire zijn geimmigreerd en allemaal direkt stemrecht hebben verworven. Dus dat deze ER verkiezing van 18 maart 2015 nooit en nimmer een eerlijke democratische weergave zal zijn door deze invasieve stemgerechtigden, en u beweerd een verduidelijke beeld en zelfs als legitimatie of legalisatie van de tot nu toe illegale status van integratie(nooit heeft iemand of het volk van Bonaire voor integratie gestemd en op geen enkele stembiljet of referendum) in het Nederlands staatsbestel als Openbaar Lichaam. Verschijdene verzoeken aan U en de Minister om in een a-politieke positie in te grijpen en een a-politieke referéndum te helpen organiseren voor het volk, gebaseerd op het feit er een grove mensen en volkenrechterlijke schending van rechten plaats heeft gevonden en bovendien ons “onschendbare recht op zelf-bestuur” heeft geschonden en onteigend en u telkens weer verwijst en naar deze “ilegale en korupte en met invasief/besmette Europees-Nederlands stemmen democratie” overlaat. Dus al het corruptie en omkooppartijen dat niet meer een publieke geheim is maar een alledaagse aktiviteit(Booi heeft zelf op de Nlse TV bekend dat het normaal is?) omtrent de verkiezingen, dus uw ingevoerde volmacht-stemmen dat afgeschaft was op de Antillen daardoor, en u geen gehoor of geen serieuze intentie doet of neemt voor onderzoek of een of andere commissie in het leven heeft geroepen om de bevolking gerust te stellen dat u ook een oor heeft voor hun zorgen, dus het afkopen van hun enige zeggenschap, dus de verkiezing. Dat u dan laat blijken dat u de andere kant opkijkt, dus niet naar het waarborgen van hun veiligheid en rechtstaat basis, dus een eerlijke democratisch process. En verder het stempas distribuitie was direkt op hetzelfde pad als de gesaboteerde St Eustatius referendum van december 2014, onduidelijkheid en chaotisch, en verder stembiljetten uitgegeven aan mensen die zelfs meer dan 10 jaar niet meer op Bonaire wonen. Vandaar of is wel te begrijpen dat U aangeeft dat u alleen een geldige identificatie van voor 19 maart 2010 ook geldig is, dit zeker voor het uitoefenen van een corrupte-volmacht van een uitlandig wonende stemgerechtigde. 

Ook is te melden dat er de ca 25% funktioneel-analfabeet bevolkings-groep zeker grove problemen zal hebben met uw uitgebreide Nederlandstallige stempas instructies en zeker met uw Europees Nederlands stembiljetten zonder partij-kleuren tenzij u wel toestaat dat de partijen met hun folkloristische kleuren volop kampagne voeren, dus nog meer verwarring en chaos ondersteund en geen eerlijke democratisch process hier gaande is. Een en al en niet te vergeten hoe het mogelijk is of wij als volk moeten kunnen begrijpen dat u in de autonome landen Curacao, Aruba en St Maarten in hun interne politiek en autonomie ingrijpen en in uw eigen politiek-verantwoordelijk gebied en Nederland in de Cariben, Bonaire dat niet doet. Dus politieke leider die corruptiezaak bekent en veroordeeld wordt en door uw eigen ministerie ontslagen wordt toch blijft funktioneren als gedeputeerde, (plaatvervangende)gezaghebber en zonder enig argwaan van uw kant. Dus dan is ook duidelijk voor het volk dat de stapels corruptie zaken die uw openbaar ministerie jarenlang hebben uitgepluist en door uw zgn niet mee willen bemoeien met lokaal-politiek nooit zullen begrijpen en accepteren dat u presteer net voor alle laatste voorgaande verkiezingen onredelijk en wantrouwig te handelen in de zaken van de bekende politicus Booi die de trekker van deze illegale status is en verklaard heeft een referendum “over zijn dead body” dus nooit zal plaatsvinden. Nooit zal u kunnen verklaren dat voor de referendum van desember 2010, op 30 november 2010 de nasporing, onderzoek te stoppen door uw rechter, dan 26 januari 2011 seponeren van de zaken en in maart de verkiezing 2011, en in oktober 2014 een week voor de laatste stap in een unaniem geakoorde besluit tot starten van de referendumprocess, Booi weer vrij, weer in de Eilandsraad als lid toe-treed en direkt het referéndum stopt en nu alweer, echt het record , vrijspraak een paar dagen voor de verkiezingen. U zal wel begrijpen dat ons geloofwaardigheid in uw te noemen onafhankelijk rechtstaat organen en systemen echt geschaad is of niet meer te vertrouwen zijn en u als lokaal politiek instrumenten tegen de mensen en volkenrechterlijke zelfbeschikkingsrecht van het volk wordt beschouwd en wordt gebruikt.

Tenslotte teken ik hiermede oficieel bezwaar tegen deze eilandsraads-leden-verkiezing die geen legitieme rechtsbasis bezit, en geen eerlijke democratisch basis bezit door uw invasieve opgelegde Europese Nederlanders stemgerechtigden en deze illegale status niet legitimeer omdat het alleen te legitimeren of te leagliseren is door een legitieme zelfbeschikkings volksraadpleging en mijn stem (en alle willige petitie tekenaars voor een zelfbeschikkings referendum en anderen) onder protest uit zal brengen.

cc. Kabinet van de Koning Leden van de 2de kamer van de Staten-Generaal Leden van de 1ste kamer der Staten –Generaal Leden van de vaste commissie voor Koninkrijksrelaties Office of the High Commisioner for Human Rights

La 2da Marcha Oscar – Mandela en Puerto Rico / The 2nd Oscar - Mandela March in Puerto Rico

Saludos, 

La presente es para informarle que el domingo 22 de marzo de 2015 habrá una marcha pacífica para la excarcelación de nuestro preso político de 33 años, el patriota Oscar López Rivera y la descolonización de Puerto Rico.  La Segunda Marcha Oscar – Mandela en Puerto Rico será desde las 2 PM hasta las 5 PM.  La marcha será en el Viejo San Juan este año.  Oprima el siguiente enlace para ver un reportaje de nuestra primera marcha el año pasado: http://www.wapa.tv/noticias/locales/-primera-protesta-oscar-mandela-_20131122237557.html

Macharemos desde el Capitolio hasta el Tribunal de Estados Unidos en Puerto Rico. La ruta será por la Avenida Muñoz Rivera para seguir por la Calle San Francisco. Doblaremos a la izquierda por la Calle San José, para volver a doblar a la izquierda por la Calle Fortaleza.  Haremos una derecha por la Calle O’Donnel para continuar por laCalle Recinto Sur.  Nos ubicaremos frente al tribunal.  Los manifestantes pueden exhibir sus carteles y banderas de sus organizaciones. 

Habrán discursos de diferentes oradores y música.  Pepe Sánchez y Luis Enrique Romero serán los maestros de ceremonia.   

Algunos de los participantes, entre otros, serán: José Nogueras, El Topo, Noel Hernández, Luis Oliva, Silverio Pérez, Adean Caban Butter, y Daniel Rivera (hijo).

Los oradores serán: José M. López Sierra, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Dr. Héctor Pesquera, Lic. Alejandro Torres, Rafael Bernabé, Pedro Muñiz, Padre Efraín Rodríguez y Tito Kayac.

El Comité Timón del Pueblo de Compañeros Unidos para la Descolonización de Puerto Rico invita a todo aquel que cree que el colonialismo es un crimen en contra de la humanidad y una amenaza a la paz mundial a marcha con nosotros en el mismo día que conmemoramos la abolición de la esclavitud.  Oscar López Rivera ha cumplido casi 34 años en la cárcel por defender nuestro derecho inalienable a la auto-determinación e independencia. ¡Necesitaremos un tsunami de gente para que el gobierno de Estados Unidos cumpla con las 33 resoluciones de la Organización de Naciones Unidas para descolonizar inmediatamente a Puerto Rico!    

Ayude a sacar del closet a la colonia puertorriqueña.  Nuestras protestas serán permanente hasta que se logre la descolonización de Puerto Rico, y por supuesto, la excarcelación de nuestro patriota Oscar López Rivera.  El tsunami de gente es obviamente indispensable para lograr eso, porque los que practican o aceptan el colonialismo no creen en la justicia para todos.

Un abrazo solidario,

José M López Sierra

Comité Timón del Pueblo (CTP)

Compañeros Unidos para la Descolonización de Puerto Rico (CUPDPR)

Greetings Partners,

This is to inform you that on Sunday, March 22, 2015, a peaceful march will be held for the decolonization of Puerto Rico and the release from prison of our Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera.  The 2nd Oscar – Mandela March in Puerto Rico will be from 2 PM to 5 PM.  This year’s protest will be in Old San Juan.  We will march from the Capital Building to the United States (US) Courthouse in Puerto Rico.  Click on the following link to see a news report of last year’s march:http://www.wapa.tv/noticias/locales/-primera-protesta-oscar-mandela-_20131122237557.html

We will gather at the Capitol Building at 2 PM.  We will march on Avenida Muñoz Rivera and continue on Calle San Francisco.  We will make a left on Calle San José, and make another left on Calle Fortaleza.  We will turn right on Calle O’Donnel, to continue on Calle Recinto Sur.  We will assemble in front of the courthouse.  Marchers are encourage to bring signs and flags from their organizations.

We will have various orators and music.  Pepe Sánchez and Luis Enrique Romero will be our masters of ceremony.   

Some of the participants, among others, will be: José Nogueras, El Topo, Noel Hernández, Luis Oliva, Silverio Pérez, Adean Caban Butter, y Daniel Rivera (Jr.).

The orators will be: José M. López Sierra, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Dr. Héctor Pesquera, Lic. Alejandro Torres, Rafael Bernabé, Pedro Muñiz, Padre Efraín Rodríguez y Tito Kayac.

The People’s Steering Committee of United Partners for the Decolonization Puerto Rico invites everyone who believes that colonialism is a crime against humanity and a threat to world peace to protest on the very same day that we commemorate theAbolition of Slavery.  Oscar has spent almost 34 years in prison for defending Puerto Rico’s right to self-determination and independence.  This is why, Oscar is our Nelson Mandela! 

We will need a tsunami of people to make the US government comply with 33 United Nations resolutions to immediately decolonize Puerto Rico.  Help us get Puerto Rican colonialism out of the closet.  Our protests will be permanent until we achieve Puerto Rico decolonization, and of course, Oscar’s release.   The tsunami of people is indispensable to achieve that, because those who practice or accept colonialism don’t believe in justice for all!

Sincerely, 

José M López Sierra

The People's Steering Committee

United Partners for the Decolonization Puerto Rico