The case of former Immigration and Border Protection (IBP) Service Director Udo Aron (see related story) appears to be a typical example of authorities abusing their power and the trust placed in them by society. When high-ranking officials fail to do things in the correct way it erodes public confidence in society and its key institutions, with all possible consequences.
On the other hand, the Immigration officer who tried to stop Aron from bringing in a foreign woman without the required visa and filed a complaint after being overruled by a superior deserves support for sticking to the rules. This stance ultimately received backing from the Justice Minister, which led to Aron’s suspension and subsequent dismissal. Although the court called the manner of termination “far from elegant,” it was considered justified in light of the serious nature of the allegations.
The ruling did order outstanding payments of NAf. 40,000 in substitution allowances and NAf. 35,495 in vacation allowance, to which Government had already agreed. However, while Aron’s reputation may have been tarnished, the judge saw no reason for damages, as Aron caused all the commotion in the first place.
It’s by no means the first scandal in St. Maarten’s judicial sector and probably won’t be the last. Catching and punishing those responsible at least shows people that the entire system isn’t rigged.
The lesson to be learned here is that nobody can claim to be above the law, no matter what their function. Everyone must simply learn to play by the book, one way or the other.
