Governor Baly presides over ceremony for 81 new Dutch citizens

Governor Ajamu G. Baly welcomed 81 new Dutch citizens during two naturalisation ceremony sessions at the Cabinet of the Governor on Tuesday 29 September. The Cabinet of the Governor said all 81 participants made a declaration of allegiance before Baly and formally obtained Dutch nationality.

According to the Cabinet of the Governor, 54 participants acquired Dutch nationality through the option procedure and 27 through naturalisation. The group represented 14 nationalities within the St. Maarten community, and 22 participants were born and raised in St. Maarten.

The youngest participant was four years old and the oldest was 85, the Cabinet of the Governor said. Baly spoke about rights and responsibilities linked to citizenship, as well as democracy and the rule of law.

The Cabinet of the Governor said option and naturalisation procedures are governed by requirements in the Kingdom Act on Dutch Nationality. People granted nationality through either procedure are required to attend a naturalisation ceremony within one year of the decision. They formally acquire Dutch nationality after taking an oath or making a declaration and promise.