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 islandโs constitutional future, more than two decades after the last referendum was held.
The initiative, titled โ๐๐ถ๐ฃ๐ญ๐ช๐ค ๐๐ฆ๐ณ๐ท๐ช๐ค๐ฆ: ๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ด๐ข๐ญ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐๐ด๐ด๐ช๐ด๐ต ๐ช๐ฏ ๐๐ข๐ฃ๐ญ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ข ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ด๐ถ๐ญ๐ต๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ท๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐ง๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ,โ 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. โA whole generation has reached adulthood without ever being consulted on St. Maartenโs political direction,โ 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 islandโs development.
The association further argues that St. Maarten has already โexhausted all other viable statusesโ through past referenda, leaving independence as the only remaining question to be formally put to the people.
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The document urges the Parliament and Government of St. Maarten to formally resolve to organize a referendum asking a single, clear question:
โYes or No to independence for St. Maarten?โ
One SXMโs proposal frames the call as a natural continuation of the islandโs constitutional evolution, stating that a decision either way would help clarify the peopleโs 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: โWhoโs afraid of a referendum? Why? If not now, when?โ
โ
https://tribune-site.webflow.io//articles/one-sxm-offers-to-assist-in-preparing-independence-referendum-process
