One SXM offers to assist in preparing Independence Referendum Process

GREAT BAY--Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, on behalf of the One SXM Association, on Thursday published a public proposal of assistance via Facebook meant for Parliament and Government, to convene a consultative referendum on political independence for St. Maarten. The organization said the proposal aims to give a new generation of St. Martiners the opportunity to express their views on the island’s constitutional future, more than two decades after the last referendum was held.

The initiative, titled “𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦: 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦,” outlines both a proposed resolution and a detailed plan of action that follow the constitutional provisions of St. Maarten and international standards set by the United Nations.

According to One SXM, the last referendum for the territory was held in 2000, and those born in that year are now eligible voters. “A whole generation has reached adulthood without ever being consulted on St. Maarten’s political direction,” the association noted, adding that the hallmark of democracy is consultation with the people on matters of national importance.

The proposal emphasizes that Article 92 of the Constitution of St. Maarten clearly allows for consultative referendums to be held at the initiative of Parliament, making the process both lawful and appropriate at this stage of the island’s development.

The association further argues that St. Maarten has already “exhausted all other viable statuses” through past referenda, leaving independence as the only remaining question to be formally put to the people.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The document urges the Parliament and Government of St. Maarten to formally resolve to organize a referendum asking a single, clear question:

“Yes or No to independence for St. Maarten?”

One SXM’s proposal frames the call as a natural continuation of the island’s constitutional evolution, stating that a decision either way would help clarify the people’s will and guide the next phase of national development. The association proposes a seven-step framework for the organization and execution of the referendum:

1. Parliament, in consultation with Government, sets the date for the referendum.

2. A Referendum Committee is established, comprising proponents and opponents of independence, neutral experts, and United Nations representatives.

3. The committee conducts an information campaign of six to twelve months to ensure the public is well-informed about both options.

4. Supporters of each position carry out transparent and unimpeded campaigns promoting their respective choices.

5. On referendum day, voters freely cast their ballots without interference or obstruction.

6. If the result is NO, the elected representatives continue to pursue greater ownership and autonomy within the existing constitutional structure.

7. If the result is YES, all stakeholders work together to negotiate a responsible and structured transition to independence, with reparations and reparatory justice forming part of the discussion.

In releasing the proposal, Dr. Arrindel posed a single reflective question: “Who’s afraid of a referendum? Why? If not now, when?”

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