Sarah goes to the Netherlands
on lobbying mission this week
PHILIPSBURG--Constitutional Affairs Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams will be in the Netherlands this week in an effort to lobby as much as possible for understanding for the island territory’s position concerning Justice matters and constitutional reform.
The lobbying has mainly to do with the discussions on St. Maarten’s responsibility for good governance and combating crime and corruption on the island.
Project Director for Constitutional Affairs Dennis Richardson confirmed to The Daily Herald that the Commissioner was going on a lobbying mission to the Netherlands.
“St. Maarten has certain positions on the authority for the Dutch Justice Minister to give directives to the Attorney General and how the Attorney General’s cabinet will be structured,” Richardson said.
Wescot-Williams will be meeting with Dutch Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin and State Secretary of Kingdom Relations Ank Bijleveld-Schouten, the political faction leaders in the Dutch Second Chamber, the spokespersons of the Permanent Committee for Antillean and Aruban Affairs and, if possible, with Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.
In a speech delivered on February 12 during Balkenende’s last visit to St. Maarten, he made it clear that unless there was tangible improvement, the process of constitutional reform would stagnate. “And until St. Maarten makes significant progress in law enforcement and the administration of justice and good governance, it will not attain country status,” Balkenende said.
He made an urgent appeal for the island to do everything it could to make the police and criminal investigation services efficient, authoritative and strong.
Balkenende based his speech on the WODC report on organised crime and law enforcement in St. Maarten. The report addressed issues such as drug trafficking, human smuggling and money laundering.
The researchers concluded that the absence of appropriate checks and balances on the island was creating a culture of enabling that facilitated a range of criminal activities.
However, Wescot-Williams clearly stated once again, during the Island Council meeting on March 5, that the island could not be held responsible for authorities it had never had, such as Justice which had always been a Central Government responsibility.
Also the constant doubt whether St. Maarten can attain its desired country status has been a source of irritation for the local government.
Wescot-Williams stated earlier this year that St. Maarten would attain country status with or without debt relief.
