The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable living environment

Bonaire, August 21, 2025

Foundation Pro Lagun expresses its gratitude to the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights for their valuable and comprehensive analysis of the situation on Bonaire.

The Institute’s findings confirm what many residents – particularly those living near Lagun – have known and fought for over decades: the fundamental right to a safe and healthy living environment.

It is both painful and significant to see officially acknowledged what so many have long felt: our human rights have been violated for years. The persistent negligence of both local and national authorities within the Kingdom of the Netherlands regarding these fundamental rights can no longer be ignored.

We urgently repeat our call: conduct immediate, individual health screenings for all current and former residents living near the landfill. The extent of the affected area remains unclear – it may impact a large part of the island – and we do not yet know how many people are currently ill or may fall ill in the future due to prolonged exposure to toxic substances from the landfill and the long-misused waste incinerator.

This is about human lives. Diseases may be silently developing, caused or aggravated by this pollution. Acknowledging the cause and taking responsibility for this long-standing violation of citizens’ rights is the only just and responsible course of action.

For the people of Lagun, for all of Bonaire, and for generations to come, we demand that words finally be translated into visible action. This means not only addressing the landfill itself, but also thoroughly investigating the harm already done, recognizing it, and ensuring proper treatment and accountability.