If indications that current outgoing Justice Minister Egbert Doran will return but with a different portfolio are correct, whoever is succeeding him will have their work cut out for them. In addition to the better-known continued problems regarding police manpower and detention capacity, several other burning issues in this sector have come to the fore during the past few days.
In Saturday’s paper several related stakeholders urged the intervention of government in forensic care. On Monday the Law Enforcement Council issued a press release raising the alarm over a lack of follow-up to its recommendations for structural victim support (see related story).
Granted, those things usually come with a price tag and St. Maarten is still confronting financial difficulties since Hurricane Irma. Nevertheless, investing in justice has been something the Netherlands constantly emphasises and it’s even a condition for continued liquidity support badly needed to cover temporary budget deficits.
So, these matters will have to be tackled with the necessary funds but also resolve to make them a reality sooner rather than later. Ultimately, they are important to create a well-functioning justice system that is more satisfactory to the public as well as better equipped to deal with special cases requiring extra attention.
However, the Kingdom Council of Ministers too should realise Dutch help may be needed in certain areas, as was done, for example, by making container cells available to the prison at Pointe Blanche. After all, its role as guarantor of human and other basic rights including adequate legal security is not without consequences.
While it doesn’t always have to be only about money, being in charge implies responsibility. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
