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

Organizations across Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten/St. Martin, and St. Eustatius are demanding clarification and assurances regarding any potential mandatory military enlistment proposal for the Dutch Caribbean islands. The groups seek immediate written details on the intent and legal basis of such a policy. They are also calling for a formal guarantee that no mandatory military service will be applied to the islands without consultation and democratic consent. Additionally, these organizations advocate for a Kingdom-level dialogue to discuss the constitutional, historical, and decolonial consequences of military policy within the Dutch Kingdom, explicitly rejecting the proposed measure.