We are citizens of Aruba that have been shocked and appalled by the recent developments on Palm Beach set in motion by both the government of Aruba and St. Regis Hotel. As citizens of Aruba we stand together on this day to send a clear and public message that we cannot stand back any longer and let Aruba’s fragile nature and rights of our people get cast aside for the benefit of a select few. Not only many Aruban citizens are affected by the state of affairs on the beach in front of St. Regis Hotel, but also wildlife. This is a well known nesting ground for turtles. We have come together today to request transparency and your commitment to Aruba’s interest in public access to Palm beach and the protection of this wildlife, as Aruba’s heritage demands to be treated with dignity and respect. 

Aruba is known as "One Happy Island" because of its friendly locals and welcoming atmosphere. Blocking public beach access creates division, undermining this inclusive spirit and harming both the community and the visitor experience. Aruba’s beaches are meant to be shared spaces, where locals and tourists coexist in harmony, fostering the warm, safe, and welcoming environment that makes our island so special. 

Palm Beach is a cherished public space for residents. Many citizens have fond memories of this place and many people visit here regularly as it is known as a beach for locals to visit with friends and loved ones. By covering the beach with chairs, and materials that are the property of St. Regis Hotel, cutting the Kwihi tree, covering the place with white stones and aloe vera plants, sent a clear message to the community: local people are no longer welcome to visit and make use of this beach. 
This beach also serves as a critical nesting habitat for endangered sea turtles. The "Richtlijn Ruimtelijke Inrichting Stranden" (RRIS) that the government of Aruba pretends to enforce, underscores that Aruba's beaches are PUBLIC DOMAINS and MUST REMAIN ACCESSIBLE to everyone equally. Specifically, the RRIS states: "De stranden van Aruba behoren tot het publieke domein en moeten toegankelijk zijn en blijven voor iedereen, bewoner of bezoeker van ons land, op gelijke basis." 

Currently this means that the citizens of Aruba have grounds for concerns. The increasing placement of beach chairs and other furniture by private entities, including hotels, poses significant challenges. We ask both the government of Aruba as well as St. Regis Hotel to examine how to guarantee public access by adjusting the current proliferation of beach furniture in light of the RRIS. 

We also ask the government of Aruba and St. Regis Hotel to help protect the environment. Scientific studies have documented that beach furniture left on nesting beaches can obstruct nesting sea turtles, leading to increased false crawls and even entanglement. For instance, research from Mote Marine Laboratory found evidence of nesting turtles dragging beach furniture caught on their shells, highlighting the dangers posed by such obstacles. 

THE CITIZENS OF ARUBA REQUEST: 

In light of the above, the following actions: 

1. That St. Regis Hotel removes the Beach Furniture immediately. This will ensure that all beach furniture is removed from the beach area during nighttime hours, especially during the sea turtle nesting season, to prevent interference with nesting activities. Chairs are set up per tourists request upon beach arrival.

2. That St. Regis Hotel respects the shared nature of Aruba’s beaches by ensuring that commercial furniture does not dominate the space, allowing both locals and visitors to enjoy the beach freely and equally, in alignment with the RRIS guidelines. 

3. That St. Regis Hotel implements Environmental Education programs for guests and staff about the importance of preserving sea turtle nesting habitats and the regulations governing beach use in Aruba. 

4. The Government of Aruba to explain on which grounds the Minister of Infrastructure and/or other Ministers concerned has/have decided to give away a public beach, limiting public access. 

5. The Government of Aruba to explain on which grounds the Minister of Infrastructure and/or other Ministers concerned has/have decided to guarantee the protection of the environment in light of the RRIS, especially for the impact on turtle nesting grounds. 
In accordance with article 3 of the Landsverordening openbaarheid van bestuur, AB 1999 no. 12 (Transparency of government Act), the citizens of Aruba expect a formal reaction from the Government within 3 weeks time. 

By taking these steps, the St. Regis Hotel and the Government of Aruba can demonstrate a commitment to upholding public rights and environmental stewardship, ensuring that Palm Beach remains a shared and protected space for all. 

We trust that you will consider this petition earnestly and take the necessary actions to preserve the integrity of Palm Beach for current and future generations. 

Sincerely, Citizens of Aruba