Ministry of VROMI Dutch St Maarten

Ministry of VROMI Dutch St Maarten

Speech by Prime Minister Mark Rutte Role of the Netherlands in history of slavery – St Maarten News

Ministry of VROMI Dutch St Maarten

The Ministry is celebrating another positive step as Minister Doran brings us a step closer to a multipurpose shelter. https://www.stmaartennews.org

Ministry of VROMI Dutch St Maarten

“Just signed the deed for the land in Hope estate, this brings us one step closer to a Multipurpose Shelter.”

“I would like to thank all the stakeholders involved thus far for all the hard work. Once there is a will there is a way” https://www.stmaarten.news

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Minister Omar Ottley; approval granted for Integrated Social Registry system

Minister Omar Ottley; approval granted for Integrated Social Registry system

Prime Minister Sint Maarten: apologies must have substance – St Maarten News

Minister Omar Ottley; approval granted for Integrated Social Registry system

PHILIPSBURG, — Approval was granted for the implementation of an Integrated Social Registry system (ISRS) within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA). The social registry is a tool that will support effective planning, implementation, coordination and monitoring of social protection programs and services in Sint Maarten. It is a digital tool that will be used for the registration and assessment of socio-economic data of households to improve efficiency of the social protection system, as well as improve VSA’s responses in post disaster situations. https://www.stmaarten.news

The implementation of this system is anchored at the core of the Ministry’s mission and vision which underscores the important role of social protection in addressing risks and delivering program and services to the most vulnerable.

The ISRS will deliver benefits such as; improving coordination both within and outside of the Ministry, ensuring that resources are channeled to where they are most deserved, undoing the silo – centric approach which has made current interventions less effective, establishing a more proactive approach to social protection supported by an ongoing outreach process through the use of the community helpdesks, improving the monitoring and the ability to identify and prevent benefit fraud, improve customer services for individuals who require support from the social protection system, improving the development of Government Policies based on a data driven approach and quicker responses in times of disasters.

The system will allow for data sharing based on a data protection impact assessment that is currently ongoing. This will ensure the privacy of data of persons who register with the system. The system is also being built to allow for its growth and sustainability where other new social protection interventions can be incorporated as they are developed. “All in all, the approval by the Government to implement the registry is a landmark achievement for all stakeholders in the Social Protection sector especially the most vulnerable.” Said Minister Ottley.

https://www.stmaartennews.org

Minister Omar Ottley; approval granted for Integrated Social Registry system
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Breaking News…Merrill Temmer aka Jimmy has won his court battle against NV GEBE . The verdict is in . – St Maarten News

Breaking News…Merrill Temmer aka Jimmy has won his court battle against NV GEBE . The verdict is in . – St Maarten News

CLICK LINK FOR FULL STORY https://stmaartennews.org/jimmy-temmer-won-court-case-against-gebe-st-maarten/

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Speech by Prime Minister Mark Rutte Role of the Netherlands in history of slavery – St Maarten News

Speech by Prime Minister Mark Rutte Role of the Netherlands in history of slavery – St Maarten News

https://www.stmaarten.news

Speech by Prime Minister Mark Rutte Role of the Netherlands in history of slavery - St Maarten News

BREAKING NEWS: Prime Minister Responds TO Rutte’s Apology St Maarten News

https://stmaartennews.org/speech-by-prime-minister-mark-rutte-role-of-the-netherlands-in-history-of-slavery/

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Prime Minister Sint Maarten: apologies must have substance – St Maarten News

Prime Minister Sint Maarten: apologies must have substance – St Maarten News

https://stmaartennews.org/prime-minister-sint-maarten-apologies-must-have-substance/

Prime Minister Sint Maarten: apologies must have substance - St Maarten News

Slavery Apology Demonstrations St Maarten And Curaçao Dec 19th

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BREAKING NEWS: Prime Minister Responds TO Rutte’s Apology St Maarten News

BREAKING NEWS: Prime Minister Responds TO Rutte’s Apology St Maarten News

Prime Minister Rutte formally apologizes for slavery in the past St Maarten Won’t Accept

BREAKING NEWS: Prime Minister Responds TO Rutte's Apology St Maarten News

Speaking points PM for December 19th on occasion of the Statements/Apologies PM Rutte:

Dear people of Saint Martin, both South and North, our sisters and brothers in Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Suriname – and to the indigenous people of this region and the people of the wider diasporas across the Caribbean and Atlantic Worlds; https://www.stmaarten.news

I address you today with mixed emotions and extend an invitation to openly dialogue on the ways to approach this abrupt and forced apology for ‘Slavery past’ by The Netherlands. This is a matter of historic proportions and a dialogue long overdue, which affects and emotes us all. Why mixed emotions, one may ask? Because on one hand, the seriousness of the occasion, if it is sincere, is not lost on me, especially seeing the recent public statements on this topic. On the other hand the manner in which we arrive here today, is messy, and exposes many risks in the realization of true reparatory justice for those impacted by the transatlantic slave trade, the enslavement of our ancestors, and subsequent racism, marginalization and continued existence of colonialism in the relationship and institutions which still exists within the Kingdom.

Along with my colleagues throughout the Dutch Caribbean, I find myself forced to confront our traumatic histories according to the schedule/timeline set by The Netherlands. And because these hard-felt sentiments comprise more emotion than one is allowed to express in post- coloniality, I am compelled to secure justice for our ancestral pains by means of formalities and speeches. On behalf of the CoM, I have mentioned to the State Secretary of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations in the Netherlands, the Parliament and the people of St. Maarten that we are not at the stage that we can either accept or deny the statement/apologies. Today, I stand by that statement, despite the manner in which the Dutch press attempts to spin the narrative on this topic to justify those in the Netherlands who seek to undermine this statement apology and exact political control.

In our many discussions since September 6, when the first meeting was forced to “hear” us, it was explained that this is not the way to properly dialogue on a topic of such enormous proportions. Repeatedly this sentiment has been conveyed that it is in poor taste to move full steam ahead with the apology before proper dialogue has taken place, without proper respect for the feelings of the people who you want to apologize to, descendants of those who endured the most devastating crime against humanity. Yet today, here we are. Hearing a statement heretofore shrouded in secrecy as to the real motives, need for haste, and significance of the chosen date. My questions remain, Why the haste? Why the sudden change of heart? Why no proper dialogue with us as descendants of the enslaved to determine what a meaningful and sincere apology should minimally contain? How do these actions taken without regard for how they will be experienced enhance/diminish the fragile relationship within the Kingdom? https://www.stmaartennews.org

As people of color, and in particular the descendants of slavery, we are emphatically disallowed to approach slavery and decoloniality in our own ways. We are discouraged to show emotion and to remain rational while we address trauma through the logic, lens and statistics of the Western imperial paradigm. Negating their proximity to our humanity is the same tool they used to justify the dehumanization of our ancestors. Therefore, the ways in which we approach reparations and decoloniality cannot stem from this same paradigm. How we address reparations is equally as important as what we need to address. In other words, an apology cannot be crafted according to the terms of a mere Eurocentric Paradigm. To do so, would not only be an exercise of colonial obedience, but also a failure to truly understand and empathize with the sentiments of the human persons whom have historically been relegated as property – thus less than human.

Therefore, it is imminent that the tools and language used in the discourse surrounding an apology for the atrocities that was the enslavement of our ancestors, and the subsequent reparations be in one that our general public understands. Currently, the Government of Sint Maarten is in the process of establishing an advisory committee on Slavery past, Atonement and Reparations to ensure true research, engagement and discussions by and with the people and diaspora communities in St. Martin. This will ensure that we have a clear vision of what the full damage is, and can articulate what actions will be necessary to repair said damage. So for St. Maarten, the statements made today are but the beginning of dialogue in which we must and will play a leading role.

The Netherlands has proposed to create a fund of 200 million euros for awareness and education and the investment of 27 million euros to construct a slavery museum. Built on European soil, this institution is meant to bring awareness to the Dutch atrocities during their Golden Age to the general population of the Netherlands. Ostensibly, such an enterprise can be conceived as an admittance of ignorance regarding the subject of slavery and colonialism. How can a nation admittedly ignorant of their own colonial violence determine the conditions for an apology, yet alone reparations? How can a nation be sorry for something they admittedly know little to nothing about and have only recently seen the need for the current actions? Again, we see here a demonstration of Eurocentric thinking whereby it is dangerous and irresponsible to root an apology in Eurocentric dogma and entitlement.

What was the Golden Age for the Netherlands was an apocalypse for us. To frame Black and Indigenous People Of Color (BIPOC) and Caribbean histories around coloniality alone, recklessly perpetuates the notion that our narratives and identities can only exist in relation to the colonizer. We must be allowed the time and space needed to reconnect with our histories beyond coloniality as a precursor to setting the conditions for reparations. Under the purview of institutionally induced amnesia through colonial streams of pedagogy, how can we know what to negotiate for, if most of us cannot remember who we are? The issues and real implications of an apology and retribution are far more complex than any one of us can conceive alone. Therefore, I am reaching out not only to my own brothers and sisters in the Caribbean, particularly those in Caricom, and the CRC who are ready and willing to assist in this process, but also to our brothers and sisters on the African content.

The Dutch West India Company’s grip on the slave trade denotes transnational repercussions, both historically as well as presently. Via their slave entrepots in Curacao and Saint Eustatius, many of our ancestors were shipped by the Dutch to and from places beyond the nations addressed in their apology. In other words, the Dutch owe an apology to more than just their Dutch Caribbean counterparts. By only addressing the apparent vestiges of Dutch imperialism in the contemporary political landscape, this apology fails in actually addressing the past while erasing the true scope of their colonial violence. It is with this thought, that I look forward to the outcome of the investigation of the King into the royal family’s contribution to the period of enslavement of Africans, and the transatlantic slave trade.

Trust is built, not demanded. Apologies without action only serve to absolve the perpetrator of guilt with minimal repercussions. As a proponent of these actions as the precursor to an apology, I have formally requested that these actions be put in writing. Though unsurprising, to my dismay I have been denied this request by the Dutch State until they are ready to make the statements, seeing that the response to the report and subsequent statement was only approved by the Dutch Government on Friday December 16th. Documentation allows for transparency, and this transparency crucially propels the decolonization process. Transparency helps to shed light on the structures and imbalances of power. Today, this is demonstrated by shortsighted proposals for colonial retribution, as well as the costs to the island nation of Saint Martin to cover the visit of the Dutch Royal Family following this forced apology.

For this apology today to be sincere, it must come with the realization that slavery and colonialism have impaired our people’s economic and social development. Formally reported in various news media outlets last week, institutionalized racism is an inherent trait at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands. Colleagues at the Kingdom Ministry of Foreign Affairs have referred to African countries as “apenlanden”, meaning “monkey countries”. The recent bullying and violence by citizens in Staphorst against the peaceful anti-Black Piet/Blackface protestors is yet another example of racism in the Netherlands. It is clear that discrimination and institutionalized racism exists on all levels of society and organizations within the Netherlands. So education and awareness is surely needed at all levels.

These inherent prejudices, racisms, and/or colorism are systemic and insidious; and do not only affect the socio-economic disposition of the descendants of chattel slavery but the very psyche spirit and soul of said persons. According the theory Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS) the slavery trauma is held in our DNA and is passed down from one generation to the next. PTSS exists as a direct consequence of the multigenerational oppression of Africans and their descendants resulting from centuries of chattel slavery. If, we are to have any real discourse on restoration, reconciliation, and reparations; we must first identify and address PTSS that still lingers in our society, today.

Lastly, I would like to state that financial aid and loans provided thus far by the Netherlands can never be conceived of as part of reparations owed as a result of the expected apology. Reparations and aid as a result of crises are not to be discussed in the same breath in a sincere apology. Historically, with regards to exercising our own agency and self-determination within the Dutch Kingdom Structure, we’ve been in the position to exchange colonial obedience for aid and loans. This was the case after the onslaught of Hurricane Irma in 2017 and the COVID19 pandemic. I would only hope that a truly sincere apology would include the right to self-determination and agency. When working towards a new decolonial age of equity and equality, one should not be punished for colonial disobedience.

The Government and people of Sint Maarten will not be placed on the spot today to accept or deny the apologies.

Thank you for your time and for your attention.

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Prime Minister Rutte formally apologizes for slavery in the past St Maarten Won’t Accept

Prime Minister Rutte formally apologizes for slavery in the past St Maarten Won’t Accept

Prime Minister Rutte formally apologizes for slavery in the past St Maarten Won't Accept

Prime Minister Rutte formally apologizes for slavery in the past St Maarten Rejects!

https://www.stmaarten.news

Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Monday apologized on behalf of his government for the historic role of the Netherlands in slavery and the slave trade, despite calls to postpone the long-awaited statement. 

“Today I apologize,” Rutte said in a 20minute speech that was greeted with silence by an invited audience at the National Archives.


Rutte continued with the apology, even though some activist groups in the Netherlands and its former colonies had urged him to wait until July 1 next year, the anniversary of the abolition of slavery 1 60 years ago. Activists are considering the 1 50th anniversary next year because many enslaved people had to work on plantations for a decade after abolition. 

https://www.sxmgovernment.com
“Why the rush?” asked Barryl Biekman, chairman of the Netherlands-based National Platform for Slavery Past, before the Prime Minister’s speech. Some groups went to court last week in a failed attempt to block the speech.

Rutte referred to the difference of opinion in his statements on Monday.

“We know there is no one right time for everyone, no right words for everyone, no right place for everyone,” he said.
He said the government would set up a fund for initiatives to address the legacy of slavery in the Netherlands and its former colonies.
The Dutch government previously expressed deep regret for the country’s historic role in slavery, but dropped out with a formal apology, with Rutte once saying such a statement could polarize society. However, a majority in parliament now supports an apology.



Report
The prime minister’s speech is in response to a report published last year by a government-appointed advisory board. The recommendations include the government l s apology and acknowledgment that the slave trade and slavery from the 17th century until abolition “which took place directly or indirectly under Dutch rule were crimes against humanity”
“The report Chains of the Past from the Slavery Past Dialogue Group plays an important role in the awareness process that many of us are going through.
That report was published on 1 July last year and contained a number of clear conclusions and recommendations.

That report was published on 1 July last year and contained a number of clear conclusions and recommendations.
“The three keywords are:
acknowledgment, apology, recovery. Today we will send the official government response to the House of Representatives. We embrace the analysis and conclusions of the Dialogue
Group.” Thus Ruth. https://www.stmaartennews.org

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Ondahae Marlin Kreative Juices Gives Dutch St Maarten Government Food Poisoning. NOT The ‘Juices’ They Were Expecting

Ondahae Marlin Kreative Juices Gives Dutch St Maarten Government Food Poisoning. NOT The ‘Juices’ They Were Expecting

Slavery Apology Demonstrations St Maarten And Curaçao Dec 19th

Ondahae Marlin Kreative Juices Gives Dutch St Maarten Government Food Poisoning. NOT The 'Juices' They Were Expecting

The Entire St Maarten Government got food poisoning at the Christmas Party. The party was hosted by ‘Creative Diarrhea’. MP William Marlin’s son. https://www.stmaarten.news

Kreative Juices responds to poisoning the entire Government of Sint Maarten :
Season’s Greetings to all customers, family, friends, and loved ones. https://www.sxmgovernment.com

PHILIPSBURG:— First and foremost, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all customers who have experienced the Kreative Juices meal services over the years.

In our six years of operations, we have always taken pride in providing you with quality, creative and tasty meals, along with exceptional services. These meals are freshly prepared every day by certified chefs, under strict food safety guidelines. Food is always kept and prepared in a safe manner, and also, using correct temperatures and secure food storage and preparation procedures. You can rest assured that our chefs and staff have been fully certified with all food safety and handling standards always top of mind.

Additionally, all of our meals are made with fresh ingredients that we source locally. We often encounter many of our customers as we do our daily shopping; supporting many individuals, businesses, and supermarkets on the island. https://www.stmaartennews.org

Thus far, our meals have always been met with complete customer satisfaction and no adverse incidents or side effects, since the inception of Kreative Juices.

However, we are extremely saddened to hear that a few attendees at last night’s event fell ill. In the event that you do not feel well, it is highly recommended that you visit a doctor or the emergency room as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis. Kindly note that all symptoms should be properly diagnosed and treated, as it could be due to various causes beyond our control, which may be detrimental to your health.

At Kreative Juices we thrive on customer satisfaction and often go above and beyond, to not only, satisfy your tastebuds, but also, to follow all required legal protocols by the Inspectorate to ensure that all food is handled with the most stringent standards of freshness, cleanliness, and safety, along with our customers’ safety and satisfaction always in mind.

We humbly apologize for any unforeseen circumstances caused to any civil servants and/or guests. As civil servants are among our largest and long-standing clientele, you can trust that we take your health to heart.

Overall, the large majority of attendees at last night’s event were pleased with the quality of the food, the services, the presentation, and all related operations handled by Kreative Juices.

We also engaged several students from the National Institute of Professional Advancement (NIPA) to provide them with the opportunity to gain experience at this major event and thereby, build hands-on expertise as they hone their food service skills.

At Kreative Juices, we strive to create delectable dishes that stimulate your palette and further, strengthen the community of St. Maarten through our corporate responsibility programs and countless sponsorship and fundraising efforts towards several noteworthy organizations.

Again, our heartfelt apologies to anyone who has experienced any challenges, which truly was not our intention. We aim to please and as we say in St. Maarten, we love ayo badly!

A sincere THANK YOU to everyone who continuously entrusts us with their catering and food service needs. You can rest assured that we are now even more motivated to take the quality of our dishes and food services to a higher level that exceeds your expectations!

Yours truly,
Management & Staff
Kreative Juices

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Slavery Apology Demonstrations St Maarten And Curaçao Dec 19th

Slavery Apology Demonstrations St Maarten And Curaçao Dec 19th

Sint Maarten To REJECT apologiesIf the cabinet apologizes on Monday for the slavery past of the Netherlands

Call for demonstrations in Curaçao and St. Maarten on Dec. 19, expected apology by Rutte https://www.stmaarten.news

SUNDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2022 – 10:35
Independence organizations in Curaçao and Sint Maarten have called for demonstrations on Monday, December 19. On that day, Prime Minister Mark Rutte is expected to apologize in the Netherlands for the past of slavery.
Afterwards, in Curaçao, Aruba, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Saba and in Suriname, several Dutch ministers and state secretaries will explain the Cabinet’s response to the report “Chains of the Past”. The report calls for recognition, apology and reparation for the Dutch slavery past.

https://www.stmaartennews.org

The Prime Minister of St. Maarten, Silveria Jacobs, said in Parliament last Wednesday that, in her opinion, there was too little consultation on the response on Dec. 19.
According to Jacobs, the Netherlands is suddenly in a hurry. Consequently, she could not say whether the possible apology will be accepted or not. For that, an advisory committee must first have done its work, Jacobs said.

The organizations calling for demonstrations believe that the Netherlands is trying to push through the apologies without involving the representatives of the islands in a dignified manner. They accuse The Hague of “a sense of superiority.”
On the islands it is still unclear to many people what exactly will happen. The case receives modest attention in (social) media on the islands.
After Rutte’s speech in the Netherlands, there is a different program for each island. In Curaçao, Secretary of State Alexandra van Huffelen (Kingdom Relations) will speak in a park containing the statue of the Curaçao “national hero” Tula, who led a slave revolt in 1795 and was subsequently sentenced to death by the Netherlands

https://www.sxmgovernment.com

Slavery Apology Demonstrations St Maarten And Curaçao Dec 19th

Reporting by ANP

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