PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten—Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs for Sint Maarten, Ms. Silveria E. Jacobs will be hosting the first informative session on Slavery, Atonement, and Reparations on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

The session is open to the public; and will run from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Government Administration Building and will focus on providing clarity on the duty and/ or role of the Advisory Committee on Slavery, Atonement and Reparation (ACSAR) and the steps moving forward from, “the Apology.”

Mr. Dorbrene O’ Marde, Vice President of the Caricom Reparation Committee, will be the keynote speaker for the event; he will discuss the significance of the apology made by the Dutch state in relation to reparatory justice; and provide further elucidation into Caricom’s 10 points plan on reparatory justice and how the advisory committee can implement said points. All people interested in being a part of this dialogue should come out and allow your voices to be heard.

“I have stated over and over that St. Maarten must have a strong voice in what is to come based on our research, and understanding of the effects of the enslavement and the subsequent period of colonialism that still impacts us today. We must be prepared to sit at the table for this continued dialogue to ensure St. Maarten and her people are the beneficiaries.” said Prime Minister Jacobs.