67 persons become Dutch nationals at the first naturalization ceremony held on St. Maarten, on Kingdom Day 2008. The following address was delivered by St. Maarten's governor Franklyn Richards, at the occasion (see also statistical information at bottom of address):

Members of the Legislative and Executive branches of the island and central governments; Dutch citizenship  recipients; accompanying family members, friends and well-wishers; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen:

Allow me, also on behalf of my cabinet, to welcome all of you here present this afternoon in the A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall, for this, the first naturalization ceremony to be held on the island territory of St. Maarten.

I am especially honored to have, within our midst, a special group of St. Maarten residents, being awarded for their efforts, to subsequently become a Dutch national.

This day is filled with symbolism.

Why?

Because it was on this date, in 1954, that the islands of the Netherlands Antilles obtained autonomy within the Dutch kingdom. It is also the day on which the ‘Statuut', the Kingdom Charter, was signed.

On this Kingdom Day, you are not alone in attending a naturalization ceremony, such as this one. People just like you, in communities all around Holland and elsewhere in the kingdom, are today attending a naturalization ceremony as part of the process for non-nationals to obtain Dutch citizenship.

St. Maarten has introduced this ceremony, taking into consideration that becoming a Dutch national is, indeed, a very special occasion, similarly as in the case of other countries, when non-nationals obtain citizenship. One known example of this is the U.S.

This ceremony is a compulsory part of the naturalization procedure in the Netherlands, with the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba now following with implementation of this ceremony.

Also new to the procedure is a declaration of allegiance, to be administered to all new Dutch citizens as of March 2009.

In order to introduce this declaration, an amendment was made to the Netherlands Nationality Act [Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap, RWN].

The aim of this new compulsory part is to emphasize the allegiance to the island of St. Maarten, as part of the Kingdom, the kingdom of the Netherlands as well as the democratic legal order.

It is on this solemn occasion, that you, the applicant for Dutch citizenship will be presented with a notification of the granting of Dutch citizenship.

Permit me to call on all of you to feel more involved with our community and the kingdom of the Netherlands, fully appreciating the rights and obligations of all Dutch citizens.

This ceremony should be seen as a culmination of the integration process, which you, for so long, have been part of.

This ceremony additionally serves to have you, as new Dutch citizens personally receive the royal decree confirming your attaining the Dutch nationality.

As representative of the crown, I wish to draw your attention to, among others, the significance and implications of the Dutch nationality, as I welcome you, this time as new Dutch citizens, into our community.

First of all, the history of Dutch nationality focuses on the emergence of a sense of national sentiment in, particularly the territory of the Netherlands. History tells us that consciousness of national identity manifested itself through taxation, military service, political and social rights, but most importantly through citizenship. Furthermore, Dutch nationality was forged through conflict which helped the people of Holland develop a unifying idea of the Netherlander. Dutch nationality law is based primarily on the principle of ‘Jus sanguinis’ (Blood Principle). Thus, Dutch citizenship is conferred primarily by birth to a Dutch parent, irrespective of place of birth. Children born in the Netherlands or Dutch territory to two foreign parents do not acquire Dutch citizenship at birth, unless special criteria are met.

The Netherlands Nationality Act was significantly amended with effect from April 1,2003. 

With all these provisions having been made, I urge you to continue, as a fine citizen, to make a positive contribution to the progress of St. Maarten, particularly at this time when we are poised to attain country status, requiring the input and shared knowledge of all our citizens.

So what are some of your obligations?

I can mention many, but will limit myself, on this festive occasion, to a few basic ones:

• pay your taxes willingly or promptly
• be loyal to St. Maarten and the kingdom of the Netherlands
• take care and conserve our natural resources
• assist our island for its growth and development
• keep our surroundings clean
• remain or  become a productive individual
• obey the laws and maintain peace and order in the community
• preserve the island’s culture and identity
• participate actively in forming public opinion on matters of general interest
• vote wisely and choose candidates who can serve the people and our country
• respect of the rights of others

The attaining of Dutch citizenship is a serious matter to which a great deal of value should be attached.    This is so whether you are becoming a Dutch national through option or naturalization.

This afternoon, you have every reason to be proud of yourselves, since some of you present have passed the naturalization test before October 1, 2007.

Since October 1, 2007, a compulsory naturalization test was introduced, after which one is expected to submit a request for naturalization, once one passed this test.  Bear in mind that the naturalization test in the Netherlands Antilles is focused primarily on testing one’s knowledge of the community and the governmental structure, as well knowledge of the Dutch or English language. Your being here is evidence that you have ample knowledge of the aforementioned. I express the hope that you will not let yourself or this community down. 

Allow me to express words of gratitude to members of my cabinet, to staff of the Bureau Local Chief of Police and all other instances throughout the kingdom for preparing the way for this historic day.  

I wish, in closing to sincerely congratulate and commend each and every one of the new Dutch citizens here present.

It is my honor and duty to pass on that the Governor of the Netherlands Antilles, His Excellency Mr. Frits Goedgedrag, conveys his personal congratulations to you, as well.

I thank you.

End

statistical information on  new Dutch nationals on St. Maarten 

On December 15, 2008, 67 persons on St. Maarten received the Dutch Nationality of which 29 are men and 38 are women.

Born on St. Maarten, 22

Hailing  from:

Surinam, 22

Dominican Republic, 11

Haiti, 10

India, 4

China, 3

The rest hail from Antigua, Jamaica, St.Kitts, Jordania, St. Lucia, Grenada, British Guyana, Guyana. 

Age brackets (born between)

1940-1960: 11

1960-1980: 24

1980-2000: 20

After 2000: 12