PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis raised a series of pressing issues during his remarks in Parliament, commending Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling for her proactive measures while emphasizing the need for greater accountability and comprehensive strategies across various sectors under her purview.
Commendation Coupled with Concern
MP Lewis began by acknowledging the Minister's swift actions in managing recent developments. However, he expressed ongoing concern about the high crime rate and the perception among offenders that consequences remain negligible. This, he argued, continues to erode public trust in the justice system. While Lewis noted progress within the justice chain, he called for a more holistic approach that tackles socio-economic contributors to crime, including poverty, lack of education, and limited opportunities for youth.
"Crime not only burdens our economy but profoundly impacts future generations," Lewis stated, urging the Council of Ministers to adopt a unified strategy. He questioned whether other Ministers have actively addressed these root causes and pressed for stronger inter-ministerial collaboration.
Immigration Challenges For Stateless Youth
The MP highlighted a critical human rights issue regarding children born in the country to undocumented foreign parents. At age 18, these individuals often face statelessness or lack legal documentation, leaving them ineligible for permanent residency or lawful employment. Lewis stressed that this "state of limbo" demands immediate attention. He called for targeted research to examine root causes and emphasized long-term investments in opportunities, education, counseling, and job creation to secure the future of marginalized youth.
Increase in Domestic Violence Cases
Another area of significant concern for MP Lewis was the rise in domestic violence, particularly among young women. Citing deficiencies in the current justice system, he lamented that many cases are dismissed or delayed unless severe physical harm is evident. Lewis called for enhanced efforts in awareness campaigns, victim support systems, and the prioritization of domestic violence cases. Additionally, he questioned the availability of offender rehabilitation programs such as anger management and reconciliation initiatives and asked for clarity on existing measures to address these issues.
Prison System in Crisis
MP Lewis turned his attention to troubling developments in the nation's prison system, raising questions about recent incidents and long-term management. Referring to damage sustained during a recent prison riot, he called for transparency regarding the timeline and next steps for repairs, along with the Ministry's interim contingency plan.
Reports of prison guards abandoning their posts during the riot on orders from their superior were also brought to light, with Lewis requesting confirmation of the claims and accountability measures. Furthermore, the MP pressed the Minister on the speculation that lapses in insurance coverage contributed to the crisis.
Questions about the proposed $ 65-million prison restoration project were raised, including its timeline and current status. Lewis also criticized the Minister’s decision to reinstate the interim prison director, questioning their qualifications and past performance. He called for a clear plan moving forward regarding the appointment of prison management leadership.
Detailed Questions on Prison Management
Under this subheading, MP Lewis presented a suite of pointed questions related to current issues within the prison system. These inquiries included the timeline for restoring damage sustained during the recent prison incident and whether a formal assessment has been completed. He further questioned what interim measures were in place, such as the possible use of cells on other islands, and sought details on the associated budgetary implications.
MP Lewis also raised concerns about reported orders from a superior for prison guards to abandon their posts during the riot, requesting confirmation of these claims. Speculation that a gap in insurance coverage might have contributed to the crisis led him to ask what steps are being taken to address this issue.
The lawmaker called for transparency about the grievances or conditions that provoked the riot and how these events might impact the $65-million prison facility reconstruction project. He queried whether the Ministry remains on schedule for the restoration and urged elaboration on the reasons for any delays.
Highlighting his prior recommendation for a change in prison leadership due to past issues under the interim director’s tenure, including misconduct and security breaches, Lewis questioned the Minister's rationale for reinstating this individual without a formal evaluation. He pressed her on her plans for addressing issues within the prison management team, emphasizing the need for more effective leadership.
Insurance Coverage for Law Enforcement
Addressing the safety of frontline law enforcement officers, Lewis underscored the Minister's responsibility to ensure proper insurance coverage for those risking their lives daily. He inquired whether the prison facility was insured and sought updates on the insurance coverage approved under Article 114, Chapter 10 of the Rechtspositie Politie.
Controversies Over National Decrees
One of the more contentious issues raised involved national decrees affecting justice workers. Lewis criticized delays in their processing and questioned the legality and efficiency of measures implemented by the Minister. He expressed concerns that the new processes could inadvertently strip justice workers of their legal right to object to decrees. He noted that this has caused further delays in remedying wage discrepancies.
He also raised a series of questions about the outsourcing of validations to the SOAB (the government auditor), including how personnel files are handled and the associated costs. Additionally, MP Lewis asked for confirmation on reports that Batch 13 of decrees was returned by the Governor and requested clarification on certification deficiencies delaying its progress.
Demand for Leadership and Accountability
Concluding his remarks, MP Lyndon Lewis emphasized that the safety and well-being of citizens and law enforcement officers should rise above political considerations. He called for strong, accountable, and proactive leadership to address the pressing concerns in justice, law enforcement, and prison management.
While commending Minister Tackling's initial efforts, the MP’s pointed queries signal a demand for greater transparency and an urgent call to action in addressing systemic issues and restoring public confidence.
