GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament and Leader of the Soualiga Action Movement (SAM), Franklin Meyers, has submitted a new legislative proposal to Parliament aimed at strengthening libel and slander laws in St. Maarten. The bill, tabled on 25 May 2025, aims to better protect individuals from damaging false statements, particularly amid the rise of social media defamation.
Key Elements of the Proposed Law:
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β’Maximum prison term raised from 2 to 5 years.
β’Monetary penalties increased from category 4 to category 6.
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β’If the perpetrator knowingly damages a personβs reputation, prison terms would increase from 6 months to 24 months, or the offender could face a category 5 monetary fine.
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β’Offenders must issue a public rectification detailing corrections in a half-page notice on page 3 of a widely circulated newspaper and in all other media where the defamatory content appeared.
β’This aims to restore the victimβs reputation as publicly as possible.
The amendments draw on Articles 261 and 262 of NWBR0001854, Article 6:162 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW), and Articles 2:223β226 of the BW, adapting them to contemporary challenges, especially in digital communication.
βSlander leaves wounds deeper than visible scars. Falsehoods circulated online or in print destroy livelihoods, shatter trust, and devastate families. Too often, perpetrators escape accountability thanks to vague laws or technical loopholes," the MP said.
βOur goal is to give victims real recourse. If someone spreads lies, they shouldnβt hide behind the anonymity or speed of social media. They must face the consequences, and make the correction visible to everyone.β
Criminal libel and slander laws remain widespread in the Caribbean. Several countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, and parts of the Dominican Republic, continue to enforce criminal defamation statutes, some with potential imprisonment for slander or libel offenses
In a small, tight-knit society like Sint Maarten, word travels fast, and rumors can ruin reputations quickly. The proposed law seeks to establish a culture of accountability and stop sensationalist or malicious speech from causing irreparable harm. By imposing stronger punishments and mandating public corrections, the amendment is a step toward fostering responsible communication and protecting the dignity of all community members.
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https://tribune-site.webflow.io//articles/mp-franklin-meyers-submits-tough-libel-and-slander-law
