Dear friends, neighbors, and fellow residents of Sint Maarten,

I am launching this petition not just for myself, but for every single one of us who has ever felt defenseless against the system. For 16 long years since Sint Maarten became a country in 2010, our Constitution has guaranteed that English is an official language. Yet, for nearly two decades, the system has failed to implement it. Today, we are still forced to face tax assessments, court procedures, and laws written exclusively in Dutch. It is time to demand equal access to justice. Please read, sign, and share this petition. Together, we can make our voices heard in both Philipsburg and The Hague.

To: The Parliament of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Tweede Kamer), The Government of Sint Maarten, and The Joint Court of Justice.

We, the citizens, residents, and professionals of Sint Maarten, demand immediate systemic reform to guarantee our fundamental right to a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Currently, the official language of the judiciary, court proceedings, and the statutory books (Wetboeken) in Sint Maarten remains exclusively Dutch. However, English is the native language spoken by the vast majority of our population.

Forcing citizens to navigate legal battles, tax assessments, and judicial defense in a language they do not speak or understand creates a severe, discriminatory barrier to basic justice. It leaves vulnerable people unable to read the very laws they are accused of violating.

We urgently petition for:

Bilingual Legislation: The immediate translation of the Sint Maarten Statutory Laws (Wetboeken) into accessible English.
Public Availability: All Sint Maarten laws must be compiled and made fully accessible to the general public in both Dutch and English, available either as a printed book for purchase or as a free, official digital download.
Judicial Equality: The official implementation and full acceptance of English-language filings, submissions, and court proceedings within the Joint Court of Justice.
End of Procedural Rejections: A strict prohibition on court clerks rejecting legal submissions solely based on the use of the English language.

Justice cannot be served in a language the public cannot read or understand. We stand together to demand transparency, accountability, and equal access to the law.

CRITICAL SECURITY & PRIVACY UPDATE

To guarantee the absolute safety of all signees and protect local residents and business owners from any potential administrative, tax, or judicial retaliation on Sint Maarten, the full list of personal names and identities will NOT be shared with the local St. Maarten Government or the local executive agencies.

The comprehensive, verified list of signatures will be transmitted directly and exclusively to:

1. The Board of the Joint Court of Justice in Curaçao
2. The Kingdom Relations Committee of the Dutch Parliament in The Hague 

The local St. Maarten administration will only receive the officially verified numeric count of signatures. Your name will remain completely safe, private, and hidden from local officials.