SXMElections.com

THE HAGUE – VVD-parliamentarian André Bosman is giving his initiative law aimed at keeping underprivileged citizens from St. Maarten. Curacao and Aruba out of the Netherlands. The Telegraaf reports that Bosman will submit his adjusted initiative law to the Second Chamber.

Bosman wants Antilleans to have work, enough assets or an education before they are permitted to establish themselves in the Netherlands. Two years ago, there was not enough support for the legislation, but Bosman wants to give it one more try.

If there is no majority for the law, Bosman’s party demands that the government presents a similar initiative as soon as possible. The governing accord the VVD and the PvdA signed says that migration from the islands will be curbed.

It is questionable that Bosman will find his majority this time, the Telegraaf observes, because coalition partner PvdA refuses to sign off on the law. Other parties could still give the VVD the desired support.

Bosman’s draft law speaks of ‘passport holders’ while the governing accord mentions ‘residents.’ The PvdA objects to the use of the term passport holders.

However, Bosman does not want to change this technical detail, because it would make the law unworkable. It would then for instance also apply to European Dutch who have lived temporarily on the islands. Bosman reminds the social-democrats that otherwise the cabinet will present its legislation: “The limitation of immigration will become a fact anyway.”

The islands’ position is that The Hague is not allowed to ban people with a passport from the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Bosman disagrees: “We have agreed that this is allowed and they (the islands – ed.) are doing this as well. If they say that my draft law is racist, they are actually saying the same thing about their own regulations. They demand exactly the same requirements when people from the Netherlands want to establish themselves on the islands.”

The Telegraaf-report triggered an immediate reaction from Raymond Jessurun: “There we go again! No equal chances for non-European Dutch citizens. The next Apartheid draft law in the Dutch parliament,” he posted on Facebook.

And this is (part of) the reaction of Gromyko Wilson: “This is the reason why I don’t have Bosman and Ronald van Raak as a Facebook friend. They are two mother fuckers who want to gain political points in Holland by walking over our Caribbean Dutch citizens’ backs.

They come here pretending to be your friend and when they are in the Second Chamber they show their real face. 
In the meantime our MP’s are showing off giving a speech in the Second Chamber or taking pictures with these MF who want to come with a racist law against our own people.”

But not everybody disagrees with Bosman. This is the reaction of one Jacuques Monsanto: “I agree with Bosman. If you’re not educated or have no skills what are you gonna go to Holland to do? Collect the people’s money or rob? At times I saw Antilleans in Holland that made me feel ashamed in a land where they have so many opportunities.”

Social activist René Wilson took the opposite position: “If St. Maarteners did the same we would have more work space for the born St. Maarteners! It’s time we start putting people off our blasted ship too! Including the Dutch prosecutors and judges along with their Dutch corrupted lawyers.”