Saint Martin MP: Liberation from Franco-Dutch colonialism is our sacred right PHOTO

Franklin Meyers, a member of the Saint Martin Parliament, emphasized the island's unwavering right to freedom from French and Dutch colonial rule at an international conference held in Baku. 

The event, titled French and Dutch Colonialism in Saint Martin – One Island, One People, was organized by the Baku Initiative Group, Caliber.Az reports.

In his address, Meyers stated that representatives from Saint Martin were in Azerbaijan to make a formal declaration of their desire for independence from both the Netherlands and France.

"We thank the Baku Initiative Group for their comprehensive support of this noble cause," Meyers remarked.

The conference is seen as a significant step forward in Saint Martin's ongoing quest for sovereignty, with hopes that it will bring global attention to their struggle for self-determination.

Meanwhile, President of the Saint Martin United Association, Rhoda Arrideil remarked that, since the French and Dutch occupation of Saint Martin in 1627-1631, the island has faced significant damage, with its population continuing to suffer.

Arrideil emphasized that the island’s ongoing plight under Franco-Dutch colonialism is a direct consequence of the United Nations' actions. She noted that both the Dutch government and parliament, along with the Prime Minister, have repeatedly rejected all calls for Saint Martin’s independence.

The president’s remarks highlight the continued struggles of the island’s population, caught between the unresolved historical tensions of colonial rule and the modern-day political stagnation on the matter of independence.

To recap, the island of Saint Martin was divided between French and Dutch territories since the Treaty of Concordia in 1648. In 1848, the French government, following the revolution, abolished slavery in its colonies on May 28, granting freedom to enslaved persons. However, the Dutch side, Sint Maarten, continued the practice of enslavement until July 1, 1863.

By Aghakazim Guliyev