Dear Editor,

The United St. Maarten Party (US Party) firmly advocates for a collective effort to tackle the pressing issue of paedophilia and child abuse within the community of St. Maarten. I would like to highlight the urgent need for stricter measures and increased awareness to safeguard the innocence and future of the island’s younger generation.

The US Party is concerned about the increase in the violation of the rights of minors within the community. We acknowledge the significance of protecting children and firmly believe that this issue should be of concern to every citizen.

Engaging children and teenagers in inappropriate sexual activities is unequivocally wrong, legally, ethically, morally and in the eyes of the Lord. We cannot deny the presence of God in our lives. The more we disregard our spiritual connection, the more susceptible we become to lawlessness. We need to apply a strong moral compass in addressing this grave issue. The community has a collective responsibility to shield the younger generation from predators who prey on the vulnerable. Regardless of ethnicity, the protection of all children of St. Maarten should be an overarching concern.

We must send a resolute message to the world that St. Maarten cherishes its children and will not tolerate any form of inappropriate behaviour toward minors. Perpetrators found guilty of such acts must face the full force of the law, serving as a deterrent for others who may contemplate similar actions.

Concerns have been raised about the rising incidence of sexual misconduct involving minors, particularly in workplaces or secluded areas where abuse can occur. A comprehensive legal framework is needed that empowers law enforcement agencies to address these issues effectively, ensuring the apprehension and psychological intervention of those in need.

Moreover, I am determined to address the current gaps in the legal system, which often lead to impunity for offenders. There is also an alarming trend of pushing early sexual orientation agendas, which may inadvertently expose children to sexual exploitation. I would like to see a critical examination of initiatives that could inadvertently contribute to the abuse of minors.

Respecting individuals' sexual preferences should not be equated with tolerating the coercion of minors into inappropriate acts. We as the US Party are very much aware that in order for predators to be trailed properly, the laws have to be in place. That’s why we have proposed a reinforcement thereof since last year March 2022.

In addition to legislative changes, in my capacity as President of Simply Masters Foundation, which has been active since 2013 in enhancing positivity amongst the youth (Facebook Simply Masters Foundation), we will be offering guidance to parents and the community to help protect children from harm.

Parents, remain vigilant and pay close attention to your child's behaviour before and after school. Recognise that changes in character, such as withdrawal or extreme rebelliousness, can indicate significant emotional distress. Be at your child’s extra-curricular practices and analyse the surroundings. Teach your children values, including the importance of spiritual connection, open communication and trust, on an age-appropriate base.

Life out there is forcing each one of us to better prepare our children for what they will encounter out there, which is sad. It’s almost like force ripping, but if we want to better mentally and emotionally equip the children of this country to face the atrocities happening out there, we all need to sing in one accord.

It is important to age-appropriately educate children about life matters, including discussions about sex and distinguishing between good and bad individuals. We must also instil resilience and a strong work ethic in children, discouraging them from compromising their dignity for material gain.

Furthermore, I propose practical measures such as: improved road illumination, securing abandoned buildings, mandatory self-defence classes in schools to prepare the mindset to combat not only bullying but possible intimidation; regular trimming of bushes for enhanced visibility, and enforcing appropriate dress code, especially for minors in public areas.

There are much more protective laws that the US Party would like to propose in order to enhance safety of this and all other vulnerable groups within the society, like pensioners, unemployed, orphans and single parents.

The United St. Maarten Party pledges its commitment to combating paedophilia and child abuse in St. Maarten. I call upon the public to support the party’s efforts to amend existing laws to ensure a safer environment for all children. Together, we can protect the innocence and well-being of our children, creating a stronger and more secure future for St. Maarten. For whom are we making St. Maarten better? It’s for the children, the next generation after us, so we can’t have a broken generation.

Pamela Gordon-Carty

Leader United St. Maarten Party

Dear Chairman and members of the Kingdom Relations Committee of the TK and EK,

Unfortunately, the meetings of the Committee on Kingdom Relations of the Tweede Kamer on comply or explain and on monitor broad welfare in the Caribbean Netherlands (of June 20 and 21, respectively) did not take place. As you know, I am a frequent follower of your Committee in the Lower House via the Internet or in person and I would have loved to have been there.

The difference in social welfare (between there and here) cannot be brought to the attention often enough, although one would expect that the equalization of the social minimum (and thus also the benefits) could finally be achieved. Especially now that an increase of AOW and other benefits will take place in the European Netherlands on July 1, and the Caribbean Netherlands once again appears not to be included. It is unimaginable that – by way of example – something does apply in Breda but not in Tilburg: too crazy for words; but if the municipalities are in the Caribbean Netherlands, it suddenly seems a lot easier to act differently than if they were European Dutch municipalities.

Concepts such as “arbitrariness” and “discrimination” demand priority attention in my head and in my perception red flags, horns and bells are going off everywhere, but the Kingdom Relations Commission apparently does not give a d**n. Indeed, preparatory talks are simply cancelled. Now I would also think that when the Ministry of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations provides the information on comply or explain the bias is ingrained in advance (something about butchers and judging one’s own meat). Why isn’t such education provided by a professor of constitutional law?

I have made the point before but I sincerely wonder how the laws (which have now gone into consultation and deal with the BSN and WOLBES/FINBES) relate to the Constitution in which all Dutch citizens should be treated equally in equal cases (why is there such a thing as a WOLBES/FINBES in the first place if the islands count as Dutch municipalities?). Since 10-10-10, the inhabitants of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (collectively: BES) are all “Dutchmen” in the sense that these Caribbean Dutchmen should have the same legal context as you and me.

In fact, the Caribbean Dutchman enjoys even slightly more freedom because the Constitution gives the legislature room to make its own legislation for the public body if circumstances are substantially different from those in the European Netherlands. In my opinion, substantial differences are such that with the best will in the world they cannot be made equal. So certainly not every difference that happens to be there because people have decided to do so is substantial in nature!

And then there is another point to consider: where BES suggests that the three islands are equal, I believe it is the case that each of the three separate islands is a separate “public body” of its own, for which consideration would have to be given each time. If I read and understand the (Constitutional) law correctly, for the Caribbean Netherlands you have the European Dutch laws and other legal regulations plus three sets of island laws and regulations in the exceptional cases (which therefore have to be substantive in nature).

And we have been making up for 13 years why it is not so simple with which the legislature keeps getting stuck in the quagmire and sticking to discrimination at the government level. Among other things, the insistence on a Caribbean social legislation and a continuous bickering about a different social minimum than applicable in the rest of the Netherlands concerns, in my opinion, a “goat's path” with which the differences (and thus discrimination) are condoned or even defended by the government. When will someone stand up and say “the emperor is naked” (as in Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairy tale: “The Emperor’s New Clothes”).

Just before their departure from Schiphol I spoke with members of the Island Council of St. Eustatius and once again found that despite fine words they are not seriously consulted but that bills are simply strewn over their heads. In any case, this Island Council is not involved in the current proposals currently under consultation.

In the year in which slavery is so emphatically commemorated and eradicated from our world of experience, such an outrageously discriminatory action of the government is not appropriate! I call on parliament to respect and perfect the inclusion of the Caribbean Netherlands.

If I am wrong in my thinking: please explain it to me!

Yours sincerely,

J.H.T. (Jan) Meijer

Dear Editor,

Reading the newspapers of late and hearing of the demands of government to the Dutch, which is not my indication, made me question the situation. Our demands are quite adequate and reasonable compared to the atrocities bestowed on our ancestors in slavery. At the same time our demands for recognition, reparation and equality would be quite justified if we applied those demands among ourselves.

For instance, it is a known fact that others (foreigners) get a better treatment than we, locals, get. On the other hand we have workers (“illegal?”) in service and when time comes to pay, we call Immigration, who then ships them out and that is a legal action.

All Caribbean countries should be in support of Haiti and do not leave it up to others. The catastrophe of late in Haiti was reported in the papers on page 5 or 6. Our neighbours, brothers and sisters in distress.

Listen, The United States of America comprises of 50 States that are bonded. The European Union, comprising of 27 countries are bonded. We, the Caribbean, consisting for an extremely large number of descendants of slaves cannot bond? At a reparational meeting, visited by a vice president of CARICOM we were told that we could not be a member because we could not pay the membership fee. No Caribbean country or island, should be left out of such a Community based on the fact that the membership fee cannot be met. As decendants of slaves, knowing what all they had to go through, we should be loving, compassionate, honest, helpful and respectful to our brothers and sisters.

By the way, the remark made by the organizers of the Slave Museum, to be constructed by the Netherlands in Amsterdam, was extremely incorrect. They said slave heroes and fighters and others, like Tula from Curaçao will be represented in the Museum. Correct, but not the slave owners. However, without them there would not have been any slaves and therefore no Museum!!

Without Hitler there would be no Eisenhower, nor Rommel, nor Churchhill as such, and the devil is also mentioned in the Bible.

Considering all that is mentioned are we hyppocres?

George A. Scot

Dear Editor,

On July 1, 2023, the Kingdom will be commemorating 150 years of abolishment of slavery in Suriname and the islands in the Caribbean side of the Kingdom. The King himself is set to apologize on this day. This day is an official holiday “celebrated” throughout the Kingdom with festivities. On St. Maarten this day is commemorated annually with the Diamond 26 Run for Freedom.

Currently there is a public debate concerning the 545 million euros the Dutch royal family is said to have earned from slavery and colonialism: whether or not the Netherlands should be held financially accountable for their role in slavery; if yes, the amount the Netherlands should be held accountable for, and what these funds should be used for and who should receive and manage these funds.

Even though there are no official answers to these questions, what we know for sure is that the Dutch government will make two million euros available for the organization of activities during the Slavery Memorial Year 2023-2024. Institutions or individuals would be able to apply for funding to organize these social and/or cultural activities.

As a person vying for legislative office, I question whether the two million euros is not missing a few more zeros behind the two. Nonetheless, I would rather these funds and any other funds that might become available in the near future, as a result of this matter, be invested in programs and projects on St. Maarten that would actually combat poverty in a strategic and structural manner.

There are many ways the Netherlands can contribute to poverty alleviation on St. Maarten. First and foremost, debt cancellation is a must. In addition to debt cancellation: in the same manner that country packages were created during a period of cost-cutting measures, as part of reparations: a country package can be created to eradicate poverty. Some examples of projects that could go into this country package are:

* a project to transform our university into a national accredited university ensuring that our students would not have to leave the island to follow tertiary education on an accredited level. In doing so, also make St. Maarten an attractive place for students in the region to come and study.

* Programs that would be beneficial to our districts and neighborhoods that focus on, for example, agriculture in the different neighborhoods.

* Rehabilitation/second chance programs for our prisoners to ensure a smooth transition back into the society after they serve their term.

* Projects that would transform loans of students from the Dutch Caribbean countries who finish their studies in a reasonable timespan in the Netherlands into free scholarships.

* Creating multi-purpose sport facilities that meet international standards. In such facilities we would be able to host recreational and educational activities on St. Maarten and preferably in every district. The focus of these projects is to ensure our kids are continuously engaged in activities that would keep them on the right path, while their parents work one or two jobs to provide for them.

Other examples are projects that focus on the development of safety-net programs for our children, seniors, single parents and the unemployed, such as nutritional programs for seniors, breakfast programs in our schools and after-school activities for our students.

In my opinion, this would be the only real way to actually show regret and finally tackle the effects of centuries of physical and mental slavery. I sincerely believe that these types of investment projects would pave the way for next-generation St. Maarteners to have a true opportunity to be successful, while we simultaneously attempt to alleviate and possibly eliminate poverty on St. Maarten.

Richinel Brug