Gerrit SCHOTTE of Curacao,
Sarah WESCOT-WILIAMS of St. Maarten.
RE; New law on admission and expulsion BES-islands, perfect legal precedence for all islands to follow.
Dear Prime-ministers,
On Thursday, October 21, 2010 an article entitled 'Wet Toelating en Uitzetting begint bij nul' appeared in www.amigoe.com-, the online version of the AMIGOE newspaper.
In this particular article-, an explanation is given pertaining to workings of the new admission-, and expulsion laws which now govern the BES-islands as per '10-10-10'.
>From what we understand-, these new laws will not be applicable to Dutch nationals-, who themselves-, or whose parents have been born on Boanaire-, St. Eustatius-, or Saba.
Again-, if we understand that new law well-, it means de facto-, that the Dutch Government has made a very wise decision to recognize the BIRTH-RIGHTS/HERITAGE of those people as a LEGITIMATE reason for the new law of admission-, and expulsion not to be applied on these persons.
This is something we certainly applaud-, and are grateful to the Dutch for.
In addition-, it serves as a great example- and motivation-, if not as a LEGAL precedence the leaders of the other islands, St. Maarten-, and Curacao can use to apply for the natives of their respective islands as well.
We therefore urgently recommend the above-mentioned prime-ministers to come together and to in fact re-instate the birth-rights-, and heritage of ALL Antilleans to be able to reside-, and work on ANY of the former islands.
This provision is the 'missing link' in the entire constitutional process which we have been clamoring for from 'day one'.
We are convinced that without this right being re-instated-, there will NEVER be any sustainable-, and genuine tranquility within the Kingdom.
At the same time-, adjusting the new constitutions to include this right which can never be legally retro-actively removed-, will make it irrelevant whatever constitutional status there will be.
That simply because the ANTILLEAN PEOPLE'S existence as such would have been guaranteed regardless what status- and regardless who is in power.
In any democracy, the interest of the PEOPLE should benefit first- and foremost of any development-, and not complying with this basic principle-, would do much harm to the reputation of the Dutch Kingdom around the world.
We do not see the slightest reason not to finally include this 'missing link' in the constitutional equation-, and look forward to you as leaders finally bringing closure to this very 'stormy' phase in the relationship within the Kingdom.
In ending-, addressing this very essential issue-, can create a perfect opportunity-, to also in due time also include Aruba-, and Suriname in the total 'equation'.
After all-, we are all tied by a common history- and social ties-, and sooner or later we should consider reciprocating the same freedom of movement-, residence-, and work for another.
dr. Leopold JAMES,
President grassroots St. Martin nation building-, and unification movement.
Proud St. Martiner-, without apologies.
