Third Annual Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival set for August

Carlos Santana to Headline Third Annual Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival

Ruben Blades, India.Arie, Maná and More to Perform Labor Day Weekend in Curaçao

WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The highly-anticipated third annual Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival will kick off with world-famous Santana headlining this year’s event, August 31- September 1, 2012. The Festival returns for the third year with world renowned performers including Maná, Ruben Bladés, Sergio George’ All Star Salsa Friends, Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band lead by Paquito D’Rivera, India.Arie, Jill Scott, and more, for a first-class jazz and blues concert series, incorporating the best mix of salsa, Latin, and pop! The Festival will be held at the World Trade Center Curaçao in Piscadera Bay.

“The third annual Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival will draw a huge crowd as our line-up features world famous Award-winning artists, including Santana, and many more to be announced shortly”

“The third annual Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival will draw a huge crowd as our line-up features world famous Award-winning artists, including Santana, and many more to be announced shortly,” says Curaçao Tourist Board CEO Ghatim Kabbara. “This incredible line up is one not to miss! Travelers from all over the world will be joining us for this celebration of music, heightening awareness of Curaçao as the hottest and most cultured Caribbean island.”

Guitar legend, songwriter, ten-time Grammy Award winner and three-time Latin Grammy Award winner, Carlos Santana will headline the festival along with his band, kicking off the weekend with a performance on Friday, August 31. The guitar superstar made his debut in music in the 60s and 70s when his band Santana pioneered with a fusion of rock, salsa and jazz. The legend is renowned for his distinctive and highly-respected guitar playing skills and exceptional music.

Maná, the adored Mexican rock band, will perform Saturday, September 1 during the Festival. The legendary band has been playing since 1975, gaining huge success as they released more albums. From the late 90s onwards, their fame spread into the US and the rest of the world with the debut of their third album. The band has four Grammy Awards, seven Latin Grammy Awards, and five MTV Awards-Latin America, among others.

Other performers at the Festival include Jill Scott, Sergio George’ All Star Salsa Friends, Buika, Caro Emerald, Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band lead by Paquito D’Rivera, Randy Crawford & Joe Sample Trio, Waylon, Paquito D’Rivera Septet, India.Arie, Joshua Redman with Aaron Parks, Matt Penman and Eric Harland: James Farm, delivering an impressive line-up of jazz, soul, rock and Latin music.

In the week before the Festival, concerts are held on various locations on the island, including the popular party spot, Mambo Beach.

Last year’s Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, was a spectacular success for the island, attracting crowds of locals and visitors during the two days of the Festival. Memorable performances from artists Sting, Dionne Warwick, Earth, Wind & Fire and Juan Luis Guerra, and more wowed the audience.

Travelers heading down to Curaçao for the Festival can expect lively pop-up concerts and events by local Curaçaoän performers during the full week prior to the Festival. There’s no question that Curaçao knows how to throw a good party, having been recently highlighted for its music and excellent night life in “Curaçao After Dark” by The New York Times.

Day tickets for the 2012 concerts start from only $195 and are on sale NOW! For more information on the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, please visitwww.curacaonorthseajazz.com.

For more information on Curaçao or to book your trip to the 2012 Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, please visit Curacao.com.

About Curaçao

Selected as the ‘Favorite Caribbean Destination’ by About.com, ‘Top Destination 2012’ by Frommer’s, one of the ‘Top 21 Places We’re Going in 2011’ by Fodor’s, one of the ‘Hottest Destinations for 2011’ by AOL Travel and one of the ‘Destinations to Watch in 2011’ by SmarterTravel, Curaçao is a unique Caribbean island paradise, boasting 35 uncrowded beaches, and an eclectic mix of history and culture. Explore the vibrant, culturally diverse capital city of Willemstad – a UNESCO World Heritage site – with its distinctive architecture, museums, monuments and world-class shopping. Indulge in Curaçao’s vast selection of flavorful restaurants, with a mix of sophisticated international and tasty local cuisines. Discover Curaçao’s abundant natural beauty, pristine dive sites and spectacular snorkeling at secluded beaches – including Cas Abao Beach, selected as one of the ‘Top 10 Beach Destinations for 2011’ by SmarterTravel. Curaçao offers idyllic weather, situated outside of the Hurricane Belt. To learn more about the island of Curaçao visit Curacao.com.

For Curacao Tourism Board

Hill + Knowlton Strategies

Caroline Davis, 212-885-0300

March for Self-Determination set for Sint Eustatius on Aug. 12

SEE ALSO: 

Self-Determination after partial integration: Sint Eustatius

Call for Statia referendum at constitutional seminar

Tokelau surpasses Aruba in 100-percent sustainable energy

Amigoe

ORANJESTAD/NUKUNONU — The Polynesian archipelago Tokelau will probably be the first ‘country’ in the world to run almost entirely on sustainable energy, namely by building solar panels that are to produce almost 100 percent of the energy demand on the islands. International media worldwide reported the news.At the moment, the electricity is being generated by diesel generators. The fuel for the latter (2000 barrels per year) is imported by boat and costs approximately 800,000 dollars per year.  Three huge solar panels are soon to produce approximately one megawatt of electricity and batteries for electricity when there’s no sun. For that matter, one megawatt is more than sufficient for the average electricity demand so the population can expand without problems. The director of Powersmart, the company that installs the solar panels, informed the media in New Zealand that the panels will recover their cost within five years and that the panels will last approximately twenty years without major repairs. Officially the archipelago falls under New Zealand and has a population of approximately 1700 citizens. Our country also strives for 100-percent sustainable energy. To accomplish this, the government entered into a partnership with the Carbon War Room (CWR), an initiative of Sir Richard Branson. The ambition of the partnership is to arrange that Aruba becomes the first entirely sustainable energy-economy of the world. The United Nations consider Tokelau as a ‘non-self-governing area’.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples - 9th August

"On this International Day, I pledge the full support of the UN system to cooperate with indigenous peoples, including their media, to promote the full implementation of the Declaration."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

A participant during the opening of the eleventh session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in May 2012. (UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz)

2012 Theme: "Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices"

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (9 August) was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995 – 2004).

In 2004, the Assembly proclaimed a Second International Decade, from 2005 – 2015, with the theme of “A Decade for Action and Dignity.”

The focus of this year’s International Day is"Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices".

The theme aims to highlight the importance of indigenous media in challenging stereotypes, forging indigenous peoples' identities, communicating with the outside world, and influencing the social and political agenda.

A special event at UN Headquarters in New York on 9 August will feature speakers and videos of indigenous media organizations, with a live webcast. On Twitter, use #UNIndigenousDay for regular updates and for sending questions to panel members in the days leading up to and during the event.

Read full agenda here.

THE DECOLONISATION PAPERS: The right of self-determination of the Chamorro people

Occasional papers on the self-determination/decolonisation process

_______________________________________________________

TAOTAOMONA NATIVE RIGHTS

GMF - P.O. Box 24295                                                           Email:  trinit@ite.net

Barrigada, GU 96921                                                               Tel:  671-969-8551

______________________________________________________________________________

                                                                       July 11, 2012

Statement by Ms. Trinidad Torres, Pilong Maga’Haga 

of Taotaomona Native Rights

representing 

Taotaomona Native Rights, Chamoru Nation of Guahan, and Chamoru

Cultural Development and Research Institute

5th Session of the Expert Mechanism 

on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Mr. Chairperson, Members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, distinguished government delegates; and honorable representatives of indigenous peoples and organizations:

Thank you for allowing me to speak here for my Chamorro people. We Chamorros are the aboriginal, indigenous native inhabitants of the United States’ un-incorporated, non self-governing territory in the Pacific, the Island of Guahan, known as Guam. In other words, Guam is a colony of the United States, and we Chamorros are U.S. subjects! Guam has been a colony of the U.S. since it was ceded in 1898 after the Spanish-American War.

We are pursuing our self-determination with more vigor at the present time. However, we are people of a small island inundated with a large influx of people from other areas and other countries. These large numbers of people are allowed by the U.S. to emigrate to Guam and to settle without our sayso or informing us, and with this colonization process have resulted in overwhelming our native population, making us a minority in our own homeland and displaced a lot of our people in jobs and from our lands.

The U.S. imposed its Organic Act of Guam of 1950 which created the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of its colonial government without the consent of our people. We do need all the help of the United Nations. We need the presence of the United Nations and its participation towards the exercise of our self-determination and to act as active observers during our plebiscite when we choose our political status in determining our relationship with the United States either with the option for statehood, or freely associated with the United States, or independence. Our situation in pursuing our self-determination means we are going up against the strongest, most powerful nation -- the U.S. -- which has continuously been blocking us in the exercise of our self-determination.

We believe that by the United Nations taking a firm and more proactive stand for the rights of indigenous peoples, it will be also helping to put back its member States, most especially the United States back to its rightful position as one of the original creators of the United Nations body to carry out its commitment, to right the injustices and inequalities and unnecessary human sufferings that indigenous peoples are enduring and living through day by day. And, we also all need to work in the spirit of humankind. When it comes to unnecessary human sufferings -- enough is enough!

Thank you. Saina ma’ase’.

U.N. Council Approves Support to Non Self-Governing Territories

26 July 2012

Economic and Social Council ECOSOC/6544

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

Economic and Social Council

2012 Substantive Session

46^th & 47^th Meetings (AM & PM)

ON PENULTIMATE DAY OF SUBSTANTIVE SESSION, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ADOPTS TEXTS ON SOCIAL, HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES SUBMITTED BY SUBSIDIARY BODIES

Adopts by Recorded Votes Text on:

United Nations Support to Non-Self-Governing Territories

***** 

Turning to the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the Council had before it a resolution on support to Non-Self-Governing Territories by the specialized agencies and international institutions associated with the United Nations (document E/2012/L.22). 

Before action, Italy’s representative said his delegation was not in a position to accept the text. “We were expecting that this was not going to be approved by consensus”. 

The United States’ delegate requested a recorded vote.

By a vote of 32 in favour to none against, with 18 abstentions, the Council adopted the resolution.  By its terms, the Council recommended that all States intensify their efforts within the United Nations specialized agencies and organizations to ensure the full implementation of the Declaration.  The specialized agencies were requested to review conditions in each Non-Self-Governing Territory so that they could take measures to speed economic and social progress.

Speaking after the vote, Ecuador’s representative thanked delegations that had voted in favour of the resolution.

Argentina’s delegate said the text must be implemented in line with the decisions and resolutions of the General Assembly and the Special Committee on Decolonization.   Argentina reserved its position on the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) work with the 16 non-autonomous territories relating to the protection of the coastal environment, subject to additional information Argentina had requested from the FAO.

The representative of the United States noted that the resolution was virtually identical to those considered by the Council in recent years.  She had abstained in the vote, despite agreeing in principle that United Nations agencies, funds and programmes could provide support to Territories, so long as administering Powers allowed it.  The administering Power was to decide the participation of Territories in the United Nations.  The United States Federal Government had the sole responsibility for United States foreign relations.  She was concerned that the language of the text infringed on internal constitutional arrangements and thus could not support the resolution.

The resolution also urged those United Nations agencies and organizations that had not yet done so to provide assistance to the Territories as soon as possible. For their part, the administering Powers were requested to facilitate the participation of appointed and elected representatives of those Territories in relevant meetings of the United Nations specialized agencies and organizations.

Rum parting the ways between US and the Caribbean

By Sir Ronald Sanders Sir Ronald Sanders is a business executive and former Caribbean diplomat who publishes widely on small states in the global community. Reponses to: www.sirronaldsanders.com The rum industry in the non-US countries in the Caribbean is now under serious threat. At risk are the jobs of 15,000 workers directly employed in the industry and another 60,000 jobs that benefit from it. Apart from employment, non-US Caribbean countries face the loss, annually, of US$700 million in foreign exchange and over US$250 million in tax revenues at a time they can ill afford it. There is evidence that Barbados is already being adversely affected and the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago are under immediate threat. As I pointed out in a commentary in May this year, the problem has not arisen out of direct action by the US government. It has originated in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (USVI) both of which have been long-time rum producers in competition with other Caribbean manufacturers. Now, these two US affiliates are taking advantage of US government refunds to them of excise taxes on rum to subsidize rum production and marketing for huge multinational companies. The vast increase in rum exports to the US mainland, at a subsidized cost, will squeeze-out other Caribbean rums; and subsidized marketing will make it virtually impossible to compete. The scale of the subsidies is huge, making it impossible for other countries to compete. In 2011, US$452 million and US$133.5 million were provided to Puerto Rico and the USVI respectively.  The USVI subsidies alone will result in the addition of 28 million proof-gallons of new rum capacity which is about 80% of current US consumption. This new production for sale into the US market will be at little or no cost.  Legal opinion suggests that these subsidies violate the US government’s international obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Indeed, at a meeting between officials of Caribbean governments and the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) on June 14, there was no indication that the US disagreed with the legal analysis. However, they gave no indication that they could resolve the issue. They offered only to consult within the government and report in due course. But, time is not on the side of the Caribbean rum industry. While the US government officials consult amongst themselves and no action is taken to halt subsidized production and marketing from the USVI and Puerto Rico, non-US Caribbean rum sales in the US market are beginning to suffer and, as the multinationals ramp up their activities over the next few months, they will effectively establish themselves unfairly, squeezing out other Caribbean rums. Already, Caribbean producers have had supply contracts cancelled because they cannot match or beat the price of subsidized competition coming from Puerto Rico and the USVI. These contract cancellations have started in the price sensitive bulk rum market which is central to the economics and financial well-being of Caribbean rum industry. The industry in much of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries is structured in such a way that exports are vital to its survival given the small size of most domestic markets.  Over time, the USVI and Puerto Rico effect will spread to suppliers of bottled products as well.  Unless these unjustifiable subsidies are stopped, they will force the closure of many Caribbean distilleries and create serious injury to the fragile economies of the region.  The Caribbean countries have no problem with the rebate of the rum taxes to Puerto Rico and the USVI which have been in place for some time and were being used for infrastructural and other development projects. The Caribbean concern is with the use of the rebate to subsidise rum production and marketing and so distort trade to the detriment of non-US Caribbean rum producers. What is to be done? Caribbean governments have agreed to write from a high level to various officials of the US government including President Barack Obama. The letters are necessary, but are unlikely to yield positive action. Elections for the US Presidency are around the corner. No one should realistically expect the US administration to touch this issue before February of next year unless it is compelled to do so.  More needs to be done, and this should include sensitizing the media in the US to the problem, and, crucially, submitting it to the Dispute Settlement Body of the WTO. The longer that Caribbean governments wait to lodge this issue with the WTO, the longer will be the process of reaching a resolution.  The settlement procedures at the WTO require a period of consultation that is itself drawn out, after which an Arbitration Panel has to be agreed by disputing parties, or appointed by the Director-General if they fail to reach agreement on the panellists. All of this is passing time during which the multinationals in the USVI and Puerto Rico will have cornered the market with subsidized rum and marketing. Therefore, the quicker the process starts the better, and the longer action is delayed the worse it is for non-US Caribbean producers. It should be clear that the only thing that will compel the US government to focus on this issue is the matter being taken to the WTO. The Dominican Republic (DR) government is showing the way. While its representatives are talking with the US government, reports indicate that it has also contacted the Advisory Centre on WTO Law for an opinion. The DR government has not been shy to seek redress at the WTO on other trade violations, and it will undoubtedly move to safeguard its rum production.  Other Caribbean governments would do well to join the DR in WTO action now, for only those countries that are party to the Dispute Settlement process can expect any kind of compensation should they successfully take the matter to arbitration.  Delaying urgent action now would consign non-US Caribbean rum production to collapse in the face of what are clearly unfair and patently trade-distorting subsidies to Puerto Rican and USVI rum production and marketing. Both jobs and revenues are at stake.

Self-Determination after partial integration: Sint Eustatius

The future self-determination of Sint Eustatius was the subject of a constitutional forum organized by the civil society organization Brighter Path Foundation. The keynote speaker of the forum was International Governance Expert Dr. Carlyle Corbin whose presentation was entitled “The Application of self-determination after 10-10-10.”

   International Governance Expert Meets with St. Eustatius Island Council

The date 10th October 2010 was when the erstwhile five-island ‘autonomous country’ of the Netherlands Antilles was dismantled. This resulted in two separate ‘autonomous’ countries of Curacao and Sint Marten, respectively. At that time, also, the three remaining islands of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius (Statia) became “public entities,” of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Corbin’s presentation focused on issues relevant to the self-determination process beginning with the political and constitutional composition of the non-independent Caribbean. He explained some of the various dependency, integrated and autonomous models presently in place across the globe, and assessed them against the internationally recognized standards. 

He explained the international legal mandate for self-determination beginning with the League of Nations almost a century ago, and subsequently with the Charter of the United Nations. International human rights instruments establishing the right to self-determination were also discussed, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICCPR). 

Other international instruments were also discussed in the presentation including the Helsinki Final Act, the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. References were also made to the work in self-determination of other international bodies such as the International Court of Justice, Human Rights Council, and the Human Rights Committee. 

The presentation also examined the relevant United Nations resolutions including the text of the original list of non self-governing territories adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1946, and subsequent resolutions through to present day on defining genuine self-government with absolute political equality. In this regard, the presentation made specific reference to the Decolonization Declaration of 1960 which established the self-determination process leading to decolonization, and which stressed the importance of the transfer of powers in advance of a genuine act of self-determination. 

A highlight of the presentation was the reference to UN Resolution 1541 (XV) of 1960 which defined independence, free association and integration as the three legitimate models of political equality recognized under international principles. In this connection, the presentation went on to define the minimum standards for the three options, and to indicate where political changes have occurred over time in the Caribbean consistent with these standards. 

Corbin provided a thorough explanation on self-governance indicators which had been derived from the extensive mandates of the United Nations from its inception, and which are being used as a measure to determine whether the present governance models meet international standards of full self-government. For integration, he identified the indicators according to the degree of political equality including equal status and rights of citizenship; degree of fundamental rights and freedoms without distinction; and the extent of political participation and representation in the metropole. 

Regarding autonomous free association, Corbin referred to the extent of mutual consent and level of unilateral authority of the cosmopole over the associated country. He indicated that a determination should be made as to whether there exists the unilateral application of laws and treaties of the cosmopole to the autonomous country. He further noted that the extent of ownership and control of natural resources including marine resources is an important consideration. Freedom of the autonomous country to modify the political status and to determine its internal constitution without external interference was also identified as an important indicator. The degree of economic dependence on the metropole, and the nature of any military activities in the autonomous country were also cited. 

Corbin proceeded to present current models of integration in place in island countries including the French department model of integrated department in the French West Indies, and the U.S. integrated model in place in Hawai’i in the Pacific. He compared these models to the present partial integration arrangement in Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius which do not meet the minimum standards of integration with full political and economic rights. He noted that a full assessment of these models would be useful. 

Regarding the autonomous models, Corbin provided information on the French, New Zealand and US models in the Pacific including Ma’ohi Nui/Fr. Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna, the Cook Islands and Niue, and Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau and Micronesia, respectively. The models of the former West Indies Associated States with the United Kingdom, and Puerto Rico with the US, were also examined. He also examined the Dutch models of Aruba, Sint Maarten and Curacao, along with the emerging French collectivity models in St. Barts and French St. Martin. Of particular note was the explanation of the autonomous model of Greenland vis a vis the Kingdom of Denmark. 

Corbin ended his presentation with a number of observations including the view that “any interest in a change of status suggests moving forward to a status of full political, economic and social equality.” 

“These can be achieved,” he said “via independence, full autonomy or full integration.” 

He emphasized that "full political integration, or an autonomous association, are acceptable models as long as the elements form a political arrangement of absolute political equality.” In the specific case of autonomy, he emphasized that it should be “on the basis of mutual consent between two equal partners without unilateral power of one party over the other.” 


“Political, cultural and economic implications of these options of political equality differ depending on the choice,” Corbin said, and “the elements of each option should be studied closely so the people could make an informed decision.” 

Call for Statia referendum at constitutional seminar

Statia News 

(from Daily Herald) 

ST. EUSTATIUS–The Community Centre was filled to capacity as Statians came out in numbers to discuss the pros and cons of the island’s current constitutional status. 

Call for referendum at constitutional seminar

(from Daily Herald) ST. EUSTATIUS–The Community Centre was filled to capacity as Statians came out in numbers to discuss the pros and cons of the island’s current constitutional status.

The recently held constitutional seminar (July 9) organised by Brighter Path Foundation featured Carlyle Corbin, former minister of state for External Affairs of the US Virgin Islands, and an expert on decolonisation and people’s right to selfdetermination. He has two decades of experience as a United Nations’ expert on these subjects. He was joined on the seminar’s panel by Commissioner Koos Sneek and Island Council members Millicent Lijfrock-Marsdin and Reginald Zaandam of Statia; Benito Dirksz and Jeffrey Levenstone from Bonaire and Ishmael Levenstone of Saba; also, Director of the St. Eustatius and Saba Chamber of Commerce and Industry Carlyle Tearr and legal experts Anthony Nicolaas from Bonaire and Denicio Brison from St. Maarten. Moderators were Brighter Path founding members Xiomara Balentina and Lynette Anson. Island Governor Gerald Berkel, Commissioner Glenville Schmidt and Island Council members Franklin Brown, Reuben Merkman and Adelka Spanner were in the audience.

Many Statians are concerned about the island’s current status as “special entity” of The Netherlands. Not only is its present status not what the population voted for in the 2005 referendum, but many people also feel that it has turned out very different from what they expected. In addition, the Dutch government wants to go ahead with changing the Constitution according to these lines.

Brighter Path Foundation organised this seminar to increase public awareness of the constitutional changes as they relate to Statia. Since Bonaire and Saba are in the same situation, the foundation believed discussions would benefit from the input from these islands as well. 

Corbin explained the UN’s views on the implementation of the right to self-determination. The three recognised models are full independence, self-governance (including free association with another state) and full integration into the (formerly) controlling country. As a UN member state, The Netherlands has legally committed itself to developing self-governance in all territories under its control including Statia. This means that the island’s population has to be able to freely determine its political status. However, Corbin stated the UN had already taken the former Netherlands Antilles off the list of territories awaiting self- determination as they were considered to have obtained autonomy since the implementation of Statute of 1954.

Many Statians feel they did not have any say in the island’s current constitutional status, and the issue of a new referendum came up frequently during the discussion. It was repeatedly suggested that a signature drive could convince the Island Council to organise a referendum. Questioned about this Council Members Lijfrock- Marsdin and Zaandam said they were both in favour of a new referendum. 

Corbin said that for a new referendum to carry any weight, a clear definition of the options had to be presented to voters, including what integration would mean. “Would it be full integration (as in the French model) or partial integration (as in the current model),” Corbin explained. 

Dirksz said it seemed that the Dutch government only had two options on offer: autonomy or becoming a Dutch municipality. Commissioner Sneek said there was no alternative to Statia’s current status. “This is what we have to work with,” he said. However, when someone in the audience asked the room during the lively and animated discussion if they were happy with the existing status, the answer was a resounding “no.”

Balentina said that followup events and activities are being developed “to ensure that the population of Statia can make an informed decision about their constitutional future.”

Curacao to seek apology and reparation from Dutch slavery

Curaçao demands apology and recovery money Amigoe

WILLEMSTAD — With the commemoration of 150 years abolition of slavery next year, Curaçao will demand an apology and recovery money for the evils of slavery. Minister Carlos Monk of Administration, Planning and Service, and currently interim Minister of Culture (PS) said this...during the unveiling of the commemoration stone for 29 slaves who had to pay for their liberation fight in 1795 with their life.The pain caused by the colonial past hasn’t been acknowledged for ages, according to Monk. In the picture, Monk and the Young Watch unveil the commemoration stone for the 29 slaves who died during the slave rebellion in 1795. The ceremony was held on the Queen’s Birthday for a mere handful of invitees at the National Archives. In his speech, Monk emphasized the self-sacrificing ability of these 29 slaves who influenced the course of the Curaçao history. “They were the forerunners, showing us how to fight for our freedom now. Their execution is the reflection of the colonial cruelty to rule over our people; through the years, this colonial oppression adopted other forms but the aim of the colonial power is unchanged: namely to rule over our people. However, their execution made them immortal, martyrs and heroes, and simultaneously their executioners are condemned for all eternity.” According to Monk, if we don’t commemorate the sacrifice of these heroes, there’ll be no rousing or motivating the fighting spirit amid the people to fight against this injustice or whatever form of exploitation. “That’s why this tribute and recognition are necessary; there’re instruments to build a real foundation for our people; the basis of our fatherland. How can we say we’re a nation if we don’t recognize our own heroes? The deeds of these men, under inhumane circumstances, with empty hands, practically unarmed, must always serve as inspiration – to believe in our ability, strength, and capacity to battle, and destination.” According to the Minister, the island has been fighting for its freedom for 217 years and is prepared to engage battle with more intensity. “Just like many of our forefathers, many of us present here and the next generations are prepared to give their life for our freedom. 217 years ago, we (Curaçao citizens) were born at the moment of self-sacrifice of the heroes we honor today.” The Minister also elaborated on the present-day powers that should be eliminated. “Nowadays, we mustn’t only fight against the colonial power but also develop the critical awareness so we can combat bad habits and egoism that enslave us. Nowadays, we have to fight against the individualism that divides us and weakens the power of unity and the society, the system that enhances consumerism instead of a sense of public responsibility.” The same supposedly applies for the media that bends the truth to one’s will and supports the neocolonial system and other forms of human exploitation. According to the Minister, the battle is therefore a battle for an independent and sovereign people.

John Dramani Mahama sworn in as new President of Ghana following passing of late President John Atta Mills

Ghana News Agency

Accra - Mr John Dramani Mahama was on Tuesday night sworn into office as the President of the Republic of Ghana and the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.

He takes over from the late President Evans Atta Mills, who died at the 37 Military Hospital on Tuesday afternoon after a short illness.

As stipulated by Article 60(6) of the 1992 Constitution, Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Presidential Oath to the former Vice President, whom, overwhelmed with emotion and grief, solemnly took the Oath, pledging to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of Ghana.

The event was after the Speaker of Parliament, Joyce Bamford-Addo had summoned the house for an emergency sitting, informing the MP's of the death of the President.

She asked the House to observe a minute's silence in honour of the departed President, after which she called on the members to receive the Vice President into the Chamber amidst the sounds of the Police band that played the national anthem.

President Mahama after taking and signing the oaths, paid tribute to the late President, expressing deep sorrow and describing the incidence as an "unprecedented tragedy".

He said: "For the first time in the history of Ghana, we have lost a sitting president who worked tirelessly for his people".

President Mahama said he never imagined that he would address the nation "in such a difficult circumstance" adding "the event is a tragic one that should maintain the unity and stability of the nation".

He eulogised President Mills, referring to him as his mentor, father, friend and teacher, who dedicated himself to better the life of Ghanaians saying "he brought a distinctive insight into Ghanaian politics".

"He was a good leader and the best tribute to him is to maintain the unity and stability of the nation" and thus there was the need for all flags fly at half mast for the next one week.

The Majority leader, Cletus Avoka, said the House would at the appropriate time pay a befitting tribute to the late President adding "we are lost for words" and moved for adjournment of the House.

Minority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, in seconding the motion, said the suddenness of the event was a tragic one that had "rendered solemn the spirit of the nation" saying "let the event serve as a fulcrum to unite the nation".

Isaac Osei, MP for Subin, told the GNA tha t the late President was one of the most successful politician that Ghana has ever had because he served twice as Vice President and subsequently became president.

Hassan Ayariga, Flagbearer of the People's National Convention, described the late President Atta Mills as hero even though he was being mourned, saying, "Atta Mills was a man who wanted peace and unity for his people".

People from all sections of the society including diplomats, representatives of political parties, and top government functionaries filled the public and press gallery and the environs of the Parliament to watch the swearing in ceremony of President Mahama.

Both majority and minority members were in mourning clothes, with majority of them spotting red arm and neck bands to express their grief at the loss of the President.

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

The Decolonisation Papers

Occassional papers on the self-determination/decolonisation process.
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TURKS AND CAICOS FORUM

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Presented to

UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF 24

June 20, 2012

by

Alpha Gibbs on behalf of Turks and Caicos Forum

Email:TCForum2001@gmail.com

Your Excellency Chairman Morejon-Pazmino, Committee Members,

 Thank for allowing us the opportunity to petition your Committee. I am Alpha Gibbs and I appear here today on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Forum as a follow-up to our appearance on June 24, 2011 before this Committee and our appearance before the Fourth Committee on October 5, 2011. 

The issue which summons our presence today is the continuing violation of human rights of the native born citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands at the hands of the Administering Power, the United Kingdom as well as the lack of transparency in the governance process of the interim administration and the inequitable application of the law. We are extremely concerned that the despite the UK’s membership within the UN its failures as an Administering Power seem to go unnoticed and without adverse consequences. 

We acknowledge the UN Resolution on the Third International Decade to Eradicate Colonialism. However we note that if this Third Decade is expected to experience greater progress toward decolonization than the past two decades then the circumstance in the Turks and Caicos Islands demands greatly improved performance from the Administering Power, the United Kingdom, in the discharge of their responsibilities under UN Charter Article 73. The circumstance demands greater capacity building within the Non-Self Governing Territory of Turks and Caicos and more effective monitoring by the UN, to assure that the elements and objectives of Resolution 1514; 43/47 and subsequent Resolutions are met and responsibilities are discharged as agreed and covenants are adhered to and our human rights in the Turks and Caicos Islands are not violated. 

The conditions within the Turks and Caicos cries out for an impartial and neutral assessment. The need for an objective and impartial assessment is necessary, greatly in part because the Administering Power, in decreeing direct rule from London, seems intent on obscuring and covering its failures with respect to oversight and responsibility for good governance while concentrating its efforts on investigations of locally elected members of the Turks and Caicos Parliament. 

The administration of justice appears inequitable in the pursuit of correcting wrongs against the people of the Turks and Caicos. Alleged wrong doers of local origin are in some instances being dealth with, according to the letter of the law while favoured expatriate perpetrators of UK origin are given preferred treatment. For example the former UK appointed governor who presided over cabinet during the era of high corruption has not been sought for questioning nor has he been charged with any crime nor has the UK appointed attorney general of the same era. We find this circumstance rather challenging as many of the corrupting events originated with cabinet decisions. Bothe the Governor and Attorney General were defacto members of cabinet. Further a member of the British house of Lords is known to have significant financial interest in companies which facilitated some of the corrupting activities and again we hear of no investigative action in this direction. 

Another example of questionable application of justice is an instance where the UK led interim administration has permitted the mortgagee of fraudulently conveyed crown land to be made whole through the sale of a part of the subject parcel while local beneficiaries of fraudulently conveyed crown land are experiencing confiscation of similarly conveyed parcels. In our estimation such inequitable actions do not speak to good governance or transparency in government.

The removal from office of all parliamentarians in the Turks and Caicos on August 14, 2009 is not consistent with the action taken in the UK against its own Parliament in matters of malfeasance by British Parliamentarians. We are well aware of the fact that during a similar time frame at least five British Parliamentarians have been tried and convicted of fraud while in office, two peers from the House of Lords and three Parliamentarians from the House of Commons. It is noteworthy that neither the indictments nor the convictions resulted in a suspension of parliamentary democracy in Britain. However as a result of suspicion of guilt on the part of a few Parliamentarians in the Turks and Caicos the entire parliament was dissolved and, an interim dictatorship, established presided over by a UK appointed governor and other British civil servants. 

This extreme action taken by the Administering Power against the Turks and Caicos is evidence of the failures of the Administering Power in the discharge of its obligations under UN Charter 73. It is evidence of the failures of the Administering Power to exercise its reserve powers for oversight and good governance as enshrined in the Turks and Caicos Constitution. It is evidence of the violation of the human rights of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The UK contends that its Order in Council of August 14, 2009, and the resulting direct rule by a British appointed Governor implemented good governance in the Turks and Caicos, however the evidence on the ground points to the contrary. Continuing lack of good governance exists in part for the following observations:

1) Citizens of Turks and Caicos do not have access to any avenue of redress for grievances against the interim administration; dictatorship by the Governor persists.

2) The position of the Complaints Commissioner was vacated with the Order in Council of August 14, 2009 and has not been filled.

3) The propaganda promulgated is that ‘in practice the Governor works under an interim constitutional arrangement with an Advisory Council to formulate policy and a Consultative Forum to allow the people’s voice to be heard’ (see paragraph 14 of the UN February 28, 2011, Working Paper). The truth is, the peoples voices are never heard on matters of national significance nor are the voices of dissent heard within the afore-mentioned bodies.

4) Inquires for information of National importance by members of the Consultative Forum are routinely ignored and or rebuffed by senior members of the Governor’s team.

5) The public is unaware of the substance of the debates if any which transpire within the Advisory Council and the Consultative Forum. Transcripts of such deliberations, if they exist, are not available to the public nor are they available to the members of either body. Furthermore there is no dialogue between the two bodies.

6) Processes for the allocation of government resources and benefits are no more transparent now than they were three years ago. To many of us the processes seem as questionable now as they were prior to the August 14, 2009 suspension of parliamentary democracy in Turks and Caicos. The appointment of the attorney general as the sole decision maker in the allocation of crown land will not improve transparency of the process, in fact it removes transparency. 

7) Accountability levels of the public service and UK consultants to the interim administration are no more evident than they were three years ago. We have witnessed no attempts at capacity building within the civil service. The recently announced three day visit by civil servants to the county seat of Norfolk in the UK cannot suffice for capacity building.

8) Fiscal management within the public sector is as questionable now as it was three years ago and in some instances it is possibly worse. The British appointed CFO is recklessly pursuing the introduction of a Value Added Tax regime, much to the distress of the citizenry even though superior alternatives are known to exist. 

9) Turks and Caicos Citizens residing abroad continue to be denied the franchise because of an onerous residency requirement of twelve out of twenty four months in the aggregate, which the UK does not apply to its own citizens residing abroad. UK citizens residing abroad are allowed the privilege of absentee balloting, as do many countries around the world. Further the UK only requires of its citizens living abroad the obligation to register once every 15 years. However the UK is about to authorize a new Constitution in the Turks and Caicos Islands which is more onerous that the currently suspended Constitution, in that, the Constitutions now allows members of the British Armed Forces to vote in the Turks and Caicos while not being subjected to the residency requirement. It is a widely held belief within the Turks and Caicos Islands that there are not any native born Turks and Caicos Islanders who are members of the British Armed Forces, hence we find this provision in the Constitution to be particularly suspect especially when juxtaposed against the disenfranchisement of native born citizens living abroad. 

10) Article 21 clause 1; of the International Human Rights Law states that ‘everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives’. The United Kingdom has blatantly violated this law with the disbandment of Parliament within the Turks and Caicos on August 14, 2009 and the removal of the duly elected representatives of the people from their elected offices. The United Kingdom continues to violate this law with the debarment and disenfranchisement of a significant segment of native born citizens from the electoral process. The United Kingdom has violated this law and the human rights of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands with the imposition of a dictator in the form of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office appointed Governor who functions as the sole authority on the affairs of the Territory.

11)Article 21 clause 3; of the International Human Rights Law states ‘ the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures’. The UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs announced recently that general elections will be held in the Turks and Caicos Islands on November 9, 2012. This feeble attempt at correcting an egregious wrong is grossly flawed, as the voter registration process administered by the non-elected Interim Government has instituted barriers to the registration process which has made compliance extremely difficult. One such difficulty is the cost and extremely slow process of securing basic identification documents from the appropriate offices of the Interim Administration. There are reports of citizens being unable to pay the required fee for a birth certificate and thus being denied the ability to register as a voter. Another difficulty is the narrow window for compliance with the registration requirements. The registration window opened April 9th and closes June 30, 2012. Furthermore announcements to, or facilities for registration, has not been made available to Turks and Caicos citizens residing outside of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It goes without saying that any election held within the Turks and Caicos under the currently designed processes cannot be considered to be genuine and as such will be a violation of the human rights of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

Your Excellency, we herein request, that this Special Committee of 24 inquire of and demand of your member State, the United Kingdom, an improved explanation of their assault on the human rights and denial of access to parliamentary democracy of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and their retardation of the progress of the Turks and Caicos toward self determination. We further request that this Committee persuades the United Kingdom, to restore to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands their lost economic value during this period of maladministration both during the prior government and during this interim administration. 

As on prior appearances, we request that the United Nations through its various Organs and Committees establish a monitoring team to investigate issues human rights violations in the Turks and Caicos Islands and provide some oversight of the activities of the interim administration and hold the UK accountable for its obligations to the Non-Self Governing Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We also request the formulation and execution of a C-24 Visiting Mission to the Turks and Caicos Islands within the immediate future. Without such oversight, we have witnessed that, a UK appointed governor will ignore our best interest, our human rights are violated and our people further marginalized in the land of our birth lost. 

We thank you for the opportunity to present our Petition.

*****

 The changing landscape of TCI government

TCI News Now

by David Forbes

Dear Sir:

Permit me some space on your website to enlighten the people of the TCI to what is taking place under the interim administration. I also want to sensitize members of the Advisory Council and the Consultative Forum. 

When the PDM administration left office in 2003, all key positions in the government were localized, this continued under the PNP. Concerted efforts were made to train local people and build capacity among our people to ensure they are capable of doing their jobs. 

This development has been drastically reversed by the British over the past three years. Frankly speaking the actions of the British Government is tantamount to naked modern day racism.

The above strong statement is supported by the following analysis from TCIG press releases and other well-placed sources.

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The results of these decisions are far reaching for any elected government and for the long term sustainable development of the TCI. This trend will also undermine any efforts towards independence. Both PNP and PDM are now talking about nation building. The PNP for certain is pledging to take the TCI independent. None of these proposals are feasible with the brain drain of TCI natives, the removal of local capacity and depriving the islands of an inner ability “to run its own affairs”. 

What will happen to all of these replacements after elections are completed and there is a localized Turks and Caicos government? Can this be considered a long-term trend of replacing career civil servants with these replacements? Mind you some of the persons going home were lazy and dysfunctional and probably should never have held such positions of responsibility in the first place. They in some limited cases almost justify these incorrect steps being taken by the interim government. 

By and large in all cases where bad apples are weeded out and the good ones going home, there are locals, natives, persons with huge experiences in government and education, who can replace the outgoing persons. Mr Governor, CEO, CFO, the Public Service Commission, which is supposedly “local” and has the final say, must know that these decisions cannot be justified on any level. In 60% of the cases here, you are all being totally racist. 

Finally, one must ask the British government a serious question: “Did you come to wipe out corruption of the former government or did you come to install a latter day apartheid system?”