“We Do Not Consent”: Dutch Caribbean groups reject possible return of mandatory military service

GREAT BAY/ARUBA--Organizations in Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten/St. Martin and St. Eustatius are demanding immediate written clarification on the intent and legal basis of any mandatory military enlistment proposal, a formal guarantee that no such policy will be applied to the Caribbean islands without consultation and democratic consent, and a Kingdom-level dialogue on the constitutional, historical and decolonial consequences of military policy.

The three demands form the center of a joint petition opposing mandatory military enlistment within the Kingdom and the Caribbean islands. The petition is supported by the Plataforma Nacional Herencia di Sclavitud na Aruba, social justice activist Marlon Regales of Curaçao, community activist Xiomara Balentina of St. Eustatius, One St. Martin Association, People's Platform Curaçao and Fundashon Museo Tula. The groups have joined in a coordinated regional effort challenging discussions surrounding possible compulsory military service.

The petition is addressed to the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten, as well as the Dutch Minister of Defense. Parliamentary leaders and other Kingdom officials are copied on the document.

The groups are calling for, first, immediate written clarification on the intent, scope and legal basis of the mandatory enlistment proposal. Second, they want a formal guarantee that no mandatory military policy will be implemented in Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten or St. Eustatius without prior consultation, parliamentary debate and explicit democratic consent. Third, the organizations are demanding a Kingdom-level dialogue to address what they describe as the constitutional, historical and decolonial implications of military-related policies.

“We, the people of the Caribbean islands, do not consent to mandatory military enlistment,” the petition states.

The organizations argue that the Caribbean people were not informed, consulted or asked for consent regarding reported discussions on compulsory enlistment and maintain that a policy with possible consequences for Caribbean citizens cannot be developed solely from the perspective of the European Netherlands.

The petition places particular emphasis on the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It cites Articles 3, 6, 31, 36 and 38 and argues that Kingdom decisions affecting the islands must respect their autonomy and interests and should be handled through cooperation rather than unilateral action.

According to the organizations, defense may be a Kingdom affair, but this does not remove the need to consult Caribbean societies that could be directly affected by military policy. The petition describes any attempt to impose mandatory enlistment without consultation as a breach of constitutional norms, an erosion of trust within the Kingdom and a failure to respect the interests of the Caribbean countries and islands.

The groups also argue that the Caribbean's position as a “zone of peace” should be protected. They contend that mandatory military enlistment could introduce a level of militarization that does not reflect the social and historical realities of Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and St. Eustatius. According to the petition, compulsory military service could contradict the region's peaceful identity, disrupt social stability and move Caribbean societies in a direction their populations have not democratically chosen.

The organizations have also linked their opposition to the history of slavery, colonialism and forced labor in the Caribbean. The petition states that Caribbean communities are largely made up of descendants of Indigenous people and Africans trafficked to the region and continue to live with the historical consequences of militarized control, forced labor, systemic oppression, violence and psychological coercion.

Against that background, the groups argue that compulsory military service imposed without consent would conflict with the Netherlands' stated commitments to healing, reparatory justice and respectful partnership following its apology for slavery.

The petition further places the military debate within the wider issue of decolonization and self-determination. The organizations maintain that military obligations affecting Caribbean populations must be examined alongside international principles concerning self-determination and the rights of people shaped by colonial rule and chattel slavery. They warn that a mandatory policy imposed without democratic consent could be viewed as a continuation of colonial decision-making and inconsistent with international decolonization principles.

The groups also cited growing public concern over global militarization and military expansion in Europe and elsewhere. They said uncertainty surrounding future military policies can create fear among Caribbean residents and called for clear communication from the Kingdom Government rather than allowing speculation to fill an information vacuum.

The petition also refers to concerns raised within Caribbean communities about international political developments and recent diplomatic engagement involving the Dutch Royal Family and the United States. While acknowledging that diplomatic visits are routine, the groups said public perceptions surrounding the timing of international developments further demonstrate the need for transparency and reassurance.

The coordinated action follows a joint letter delivered to the parliaments of the participating islands on July 6, 2026. The organizations said the initiative represents regional unity and a shared determination to ensure that policies developed at Kingdom level do not move forward without consideration of Caribbean history, constitutional rights and present-day realities.

The petition is also being made available publicly in English and versions of Papiamento used in Aruba and Curaçao through the BIG6 Caribbean platform.

The petition was addressed to:

Rob Jetten, Prime Minister of the Netherlands; Mike Eman, Prime Minister of Aruba; Gilmar Pisas, Prime Minister of Curaçao; Luc F.E. Mercelina, Prime Minister of St. Maarten; and Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The petition was also copied to:

Derk Boswijk, State Secretary of Defence of the Netherlands; Alfred Marlon Sneek, President of Parliament of Aruba; Fergino Brownbill, President of Parliament of Curaçao; Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, President of Parliament of St. Maarten; Alida Francis, Chair of the Island Council of St. Eustatius; John Soliano, Chair of the Island Council of Bonaire; Jocelyn Levenstone, Chair of the Island Council of Saba; Mei Li Vos, Chair of the First Chamber of the Netherlands; and Thom van Campen, Chair of the Second Chamber of the Netherlands.

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