The Hague:— Suspend financial support to Sint Maarten. Member of Parliament Ronald van Raak (SP) makes this appeal via written questions to State Secretary Raymond Knops (BZK).
Van Raak fears that the investments that the Netherlands plans to make to help Sint Maarten through the corona crisis will only be successful if there is sufficient support in the States. A majority of the state in an indictment submitted to the UN this week that the Netherlands is reviving colonialism through the reform program – otherwise approved by the Jacobs cabinet.
“Do you share the view of the majority of politicians in Sint Maarten that the large financial support for the inhabitants of the island is a form of oppression, racism, and colonialism?” asks Van Raak. He thinks that the people of Sint Maarten should be asked whether they support the independence wish of the government parties.
Below the questions from Ronald van Raak:
Questions from Member Van Raak (SP) to the State Secretary for Kingdom Relations about the financial support to Sint Maarten
1. Do you share the view of the majority of politicians in Sint Maarten that the large financial support for the inhabitants of the island is a form of oppression, racism, and colonialism?
2. Do you share my concern that these investments are only possible for the residents of Sint Maarten if there is sufficient support from local politicians?
3. Are you prepared to suspend the support and first enter into talks with the Parliament of Sint Maarten to see whether the plans for support are still feasible in the current situation?
4. Are you willing to ask the government of Sint Maarten to quickly organize a referendum on the proposal to become independent?
5. What possibilities do you see for organizing a form of a referendum on Sint Maarten and to gauge the opinion of the population?
