Protect People, Protect Truth

In a "hold my coffee" moment on Wednesday, MP Franklin Meyers threw cold water on 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴' 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘦 assertion last week that only MP Ardwell Irion had tabled legislation in the current Parliamentary year (Sep 2024 to Sep 2025). And we are here for it!

MP Meyers has submitted two legislative proposals (since May, 2025) to strengthen libel and slander laws and close dangerous loopholes in child protection statutes. Issues that are urgent, and deeply consequential for the health of our small island society.

The first, his proposal to modernize libel and slander legislation, is long overdue. In an age where a single post on social media can destroy a reputation before the truth even has a chance to lace its shoes, the idea that “freedom of speech” includes the right to defame others has taken root. That thinking must be dismantled. Free speech is the lifeblood of democracy, but it is not a shield for lies, character assassination, or malice. We can testify!

In small, close-knit communities like St. Maarten, a false accusation can travel from Philipsburg to Simpson Bay in minutes, and the damage, to careers, families, and mental health, can be irreversible. Meyers’ law makes it clear that anonymity or speed on the internet is no excuse. It is a measured, principled stand for dignity and accountability in public discourse.

The second, his child protection amendment, addresses something even darker: the exploitation of our children and the systemic gaps that have allowed abusers to evade justice. For too long, vague definitions and outdated statutes have been the predators’ best defense. Meyers’ proposal is a clear moral statement that Sint Maarten will not tolerate predators hiding behind technicalities.

Both laws share a common DNA: they remove ambiguity, they strengthen deterrents, and they put the victim, not the perpetrator, at the center of justice. Whether it is the victim of malicious defamation or a survivor of abuse, these are people who have too often been left with scars while the offenders walk free or suffer minimal consequences.

Meyers’ moves deserve full bipartisan support. These proposals are about the kind of society we want to be, one where words carry responsibility, and where the most vulnerable among us are afforded the strongest protection the law can give.

‍