The civic rules and laws in the former Netherlands Antilles islands (now: Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius) are grounded in Dutch law, but each island also has its own local regulations, depending on its status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Here’s a clear breakdown:
BASIC STRUCTURE OF LAWS
| Island | Legal System | Based On |
|---|---|---|
| Curaçao | Own constitution (Staatsregeling) | Dutch Civil Law |
| Sint Maarten | Own constitution | Dutch Civil Law |
| Bonaire, Saba, Statia (BES) | Dutch law directly applies | Dutch Civil & Penal Codes |
CIVIC RULES (Applies to All Islands)
General Civic Duties:
- Obey the Law – Respect local, national, and Dutch Kingdom laws.
- Respect Authorities – Police and government officers must be obeyed.
- Register Residency – Residents must register with the Civil Registry.
- Pay Taxes – Income, property, and business taxes are mandatory.
- Keep the Environment Clean – Littering, dumping, and pollution are illegal.
- Education Duty – Children must attend school (usually until 16).
- Respect Others’ Rights – Discrimination and hate speech are punishable.
- Noise Control – Excessive noise (especially at night) is forbidden.
- Public Decency – Indecent exposure, public drunkenness, or offensive behavior can lead to fines or jail.
- Use of Drugs – Soft drugs are illegal (even if tolerated in the European Netherlands); possession can lead to arrest.
COMMONLY ENFORCED LAWS
| Law/Rule | Description | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Drug Possession | Illegal to possess or sell drugs (including cannabis) | Fines, jail, deportation |
| Driving Without a License | Must have valid local/international license | Fines, car confiscation |
| Domestic Violence | Strictly prohibited | Arrest, jail |
| Weapons Possession | Firearms require strict licensing | Jail, deportation |
| Illegal Immigration | Overstaying or working without a permit is illegal | Deportation, fines |
| Theft and Vandalism | Strong penalties, even for minor offenses | Jail, criminal record |
| Underage Drinking/Smoking | Legal age is 18 | Fines, warnings |
LEGAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENS
- Freedom of Speech & Religion
- Right to Vote (if citizen or long-term legal resident)
- Access to Healthcare & Education
- Right to Fair Trial
- Right to Privacy and Property
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
| Island | Main Police Body |
|---|---|
| Curaçao | Korps Politie Curaçao (KPC) |
| Sint Maarten | Korps Politie Sint Maarten (KPSM) |
| BES Islands | Dutch Caribbean Police Force (KPCN) |
All are responsible for public safety, traffic control, crime prevention, and immigration enforcement.
COURT SYSTEM
- Based on Dutch civil and criminal law.
- Cases are handled by the Common Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.
- Appeals go to the Supreme Court in The Hague (Netherlands).
