Right to protest – Sint Maarten

Right to protest – Sint Maarten

The inhuman and horrific events in Israel and Gaza have led people around the world to organise demonstrations and marches calling for a ceasefire and in solidarity with the plight of Palestinians.

A group of concerned citizens in St Maarten also felt compelled to take to the streets and organise a dignified and peaceful demonstration in solidarity with those suffering in Palestine.

During consultations, in which police and organisers responded positively to each other, a march route was determined and a date agreed for 19 November 2023.

However, the Justice Minister banned the march with a formal decision on 17 November 2023. The minister, using the term propaganda, stated that there were rumours on the internet regarding the protest, which allegedly involved destruction of property and a call to burn flags. The authorities said they expected serious unrest that could not be prevented by imposing restrictions on the demonstration: the only option left was to ban it completely, effectively resulting in a ban on the associated freedom of expression and assembly.

The organisers decided to take legal action and an appeal was sent to the Court of First Instance last December. PILP is working with lawyer Brenda Brooks of Brooks & Associates on this case. A date for the hearing is currently being awaited.

In een oogopslag

Startdatum:
17 november 2023
Partners:

Residents of St Maarten.
Lawyer Brenda Brooks of Brooks & Associates.

Huidige status:

On November 25, 2024, the Court of First Instance ruled: the ban on the demonstration in Sint Maarten was unjustified.

Gerelateerde Documenten

Rechtzaak Right to protest – Sint Maarten

21 December 2023

Appeal filed

PILP files appeal on behalf of demonstration organisers.

Appeal filed

19 November 2023

Supposed date demonstration

Supposed date demonstration

The demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinians should have taken place on 19 November 2023.
17 November 2023

Minister bans demonstration

Minister bans demonstration

The Minister of Justice bans the demonstration through a formal decree.
10 November 2023

Demonstration announcement

Demonstration announcement

The organisers announce the demonstration for 19 November 2023.
On November 25, 2024

the Court of First Instance ruled: the ban on the demonstration in Sint Maarten was unjustified.

Historic victory in Sint Maarten: the first court case affirms the right to protest and strengthens freedom of speech and peaceful assembly

the Court of First Instance ruled: the ban on the demonstration in Sint Maarten was unjustified.

Tijdlijn

Gerelateerde berichten

Met de tag: Right to protest – Sint Maarten
demonstratierecht Sint Maarten
March 14, 2025 Right to protest

New case won in Sint Maarten: Minister lifts conditions on peaceful protest

The Minister of Justice of Sint Maarten has decided that the conditions that were imposed on the demonstration of January 10, are in violation of the law and human rights and had to be withdrawn. SXM in Solidarity with Palestine has been vindicated by the Justice Minister of Sint Maarten, Nathalie Tackling on all points. […]

demonstratierecht
March 4, 2025 Right to protest

New report on security measures at universities: What are the limits of what universities can do? 

PILP has recently published a new report on the increasing security measures being implemented at Dutch universities. Over the past year, various media outlets have reported on (new) far-reaching measures being used by several Dutch universities. There have been reports of, for example, the use of plainclothes security personnel, the (covert) checking of bags, asking […]

demonstratierecht Sint Maarten
November 26, 2024 Right to protest

Victory for citizens in first SXM case on right to protest

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – Today, in a landmark victory for free speech, the freedom of assembly and democratic rights, the court ruled in favor of SXM in Solidarity with Palestine – an action group that wanted to demonstrate peacefully in Philipsburg after the onslaughts on Gaza began in October 2023. They organized a March of Love and […]

1 2 3 4 5 6
Gerelateerde berichten

Our Dossiers

Our Dossiers

Support our work

PILP is the legal ally of civil society organizations, movements, communities, and activists dedicated to human rights. Your donation enables us to continue providing this service.