For the first time, there will be a physical place in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba where residents can go for free information, advice, and support for legal questions and discrimination. The foundation providing this service has now been officially established. The name of the foundation in Bonaire is Lokèt Hurídiko, while in Sint Eustatius and Saba it is Legal Desk. The foundation is a structural continuation of the successful pilot Legal Desk, which has been running for some time in Saba and recently in Sint Eustatius.
At this foundation, you will soon be able to:
- Receive information and advice on legal matters, such as conflicts with an employer, rental issues, or family matters;
- Report discrimination that you experience, for example, when you are treated unfairly due to your origin or disability.
This is an important step to ensure that everyone in the Caribbean part of the Netherlands receives the same protection as in European Netherlands.
What happens now?
In the coming months, the foundation will hire staff and set up locations on the three islands. The goal is to strengthen the legal protection of residents so that you know where to turn with legal problems or concerns.
The services will start in the first half of 2026. Once the locations for the desks and the opening hours are known, they will be shared with you, among other ways via www.rijksdienstcn.com.
Who will lead the foundation?
With the establishment, the first faces of the foundation are also known. Suhendra Leon, who has extensive experience in legal protection, has been appointed as director. Additionally, a Supervisory Board has been formed with Shirma Rouse, Reza Asgarali, and as chair Marga Buys-Trimp.
Director Suhendra Leon:
“For many people, it is not obvious to know where to go when they have a legal problem or are treated unfairly. With this foundation, we want to change that. Every resident of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba should be able to turn to independent information and advice about rights and obligations.”
Chair of the Supervisory Board Marga Buys-Trimp:
“As a Supervisory Board, we are highly motivated to support the director in getting this service up and running quickly; the demand for it is great, and it is important that the desk is accessible and widely known.”
The involved policymakers also emphasize the significance of the establishment of the foundation:
State Secretary Rutte (Justice and Security):
“This is a remarkable milestone: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba now have a foundation that will provide physical desks for assistance and advice on legal problems and protection against discrimination. This ensures accessible legal aid and opens the door to justice and equal treatment for everyone. A service that has long been needed on the islands.”
Minister Rijkaart (Interior and Kingdom Relations):
“On October 7, the Senate approved the Anti-Discrimination Act for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. As a result, all laws protecting against discrimination will soon apply throughout the country. With this foundation, we ensure that residents of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba can easily turn to help when they are treated unfairly. This is incredibly important, and I have full confidence that the new management and Supervisory Board will carry out this work with dedication.”
The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights will also receive a judging task on the islands with the new Anti-Discrimination Act for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. This means that citizens can submit a request to the Institute to assess whether there is discrimination in their situation.
