Philipsburg:--- Several dignitaries including Anguilla's Chief Minister, the Minister of Home Affairs of Anguilla, and the President of the Collectivity of St. Martin Alain Richardson were among those invited to the church service at the A.C. Wathey parking lot on Tuesday morning in celebration of International Justice Day. The Ministry of Justice organized a week of activities to commemorate International Justice Day. This year's celebration is the second since St. Maarten became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.Tuesday's program started off with a religious service and ended with several police displays in front of the Government Administration Building. The SWAT "A" Team, the Bicycle Patrol, the Motorbike Team, and the Police Dogs all performed and show their skills in apprehending criminals.
President of the Collectivity of St. Martin Alain Richardson commended the various departments of the Ministry of Justice and especially the Minister of Justice for his efforts in trying to ensure safety and security for the people of St. Maarten/ St. Martin. The President of the COM said those living on St. Maarten/St. Martin go about their daily lives without reflecting on their safety and as such have taken their freedom in a crime free society for granted.
Richardson explained that despite the island being small, there must be full cooperation, especially in the judicial system because of the open border. "This open border is one of the island's greatest assets in terms of tourism and it is the economic pillar of St. Maarten/St. Martin yet it makes the island and its people vulnerable when it comes to crime and criminality, both of which can threaten the livelihoods of the nations. Criminals from both sides of the island and even those that are not from the island took advantage of the fact that the two sides of St. Martin are separate nations and before the accords on cooperation were signed, they were able to evade the consequences of their crimes."
The President of the COM also highlighted the most recent tripartite letter of intent for police cooperation between the two sides that will allow stricter controls at the ports of entry, however, he said cooperation should go beyond that in the interest of the people. "Everyone knows of the infamous driver's license issue which is now affecting some 2000 persons both professionally and personally. Richardson thanked the Minister of Justice who is currently working on the draft traffic law to take to Parliament which would eventually solve the driver's license issue. President Richardson further stated that while much focus is placed on the driver's license issue, there are other pressing issues that also need the attention of government. One of which he said is the issue regarding children that were placed in foster care on the Northern side of the island. Richardson explained that for various reasons the children were taken away from their parents and placed in foster care but because there is a lack of proper legislation, the parents of these children which are about 100 in total are denied parental visits. He said the children are being penalized because of a lack of agreements between the family court and the court of guardianship on the Dutch side of the island. The President said that the elderly and the handicapped are also some of the people that are being affected.
Anguilla Chief Minister Envies St. Maarten --- Island does not know what it has, Anguilla no longer wants Governor from England.
Chief Minister of Anguilla Hubert Hughes in his remarks made clear that he is envious of St. Maarten since St. Maarten is able to become a country within the Kingdom while the island has its own Governor that is a son of the soil. Hughes said he in particular realized that St. Maarten has a fairer deal with the Kingdom than Anguilla has with England. "St. Maarten is now a country with a Prime Minister and Governor, an accomplishment the people of the island should not underestimate. Furthermore, the fact that you have a Governor that can sit with your Prime Minister and deal with the issues of the country and there is no divide and rule on St. Maarten." Hughes said the mere fact that St. Maarten can change a government on its own in a smooth and democratic way shows how much the island has accomplished. Therefore, the people of St. Maarten should be proud of themselves.
Hughes said that Anguilla no longer wants a Governor from England to be on their island instead they want to be in the same position as St. Maarten. The Anguillan Chief Minister also indicated that he does not want to hear that St. Maarteners are having problems when they want to enter Anguilla. He called on his Minister of Home Affairs who is residing on St. Maarten but was elected as Anguilla's Minister of Home Affairs to make sure that St. Maarteners are given easier entry especially during the August Monday celebrations.
Governor Holiday in his address "Improving Capabilities and Strengthening" said more focus should be placed on improving the pillars of strong, stable and just society. Therefore, his focus will be placed on the importance of the culture of lawfulness in St. Maarten.
Governor Holiday said that as St. Maarten commemorates International Justice Day it is essential that they reflect on the justice culture in St. Maarten. This culture he said may not be limited to government and government officials, such as judges, the public prosecutors, police officers, immigration officers, customs officers, prison guards or the coast guards.
Governor Holiday said that it is embedded in St. Maarten's constitution in which the people declare that they believe in the rule of law. Therefore, the people on the island should follow the universal belief that states that no one is above the law, the laws are clear and fair, that protects the fundamental rights and freedoms. The process of enacting, administering and enforcing laws is open, efficient and fair, where justice is delivered by competent, ethical, and independent body with unbiased representatives.
The other speakers were the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams and Minister of Justice Roland Duncan who also presented a number of awards to officers of the law that contributed many years to the justice system. Awards were given to persons that served for 40, 36, and 35 years. The Minister also presented awards to persons that participated in one of the courses.
Click here to view more photos of the International Justice Day ceremony.
