Dear Editor,
What can we say is our political legacy since 10-10-’10? Yes the political legacy of Sint Maarten. One would think that with all of those tens our elected officials would be inspired to shoot for the ten. It is barely fifteen years now and already our political leaders have succeeded in setting a record in throwing down governments. I believe that anybody who makes a special effort to accomplish whatever, would like for this to reflect their legacy. I am still having a hard time trying to find local politicians past and present who were not instrumental in the fall of one or more of our governments.
It has reached so far that a member of Parliament is from beforehand letting everyone know that he is ready to throw down the government again. My reaction to that is "Did he look in the mirror? Believe it or not, for a while now I have been feeling out people who are willing to advocate for a law to be able to punish members of Parliament who “throw down the government”. There is a reason behind every law and the law governing “non-confidence” is exactly that.
Politicians are not elected to get personal towards each other, showing immaturity. They are primarily elected to create policies for the betterment of life in the country. I believe that from 10-10-’10 onward it is the people of Sint Maarten who should submit a vote of non-confidence against the politicians of Sint Maarten who have been and are in government.
When I was a recruit one of the first things that was told to us in class “Verbeter de wereld, begin met jezelf” (If you want to better the world. you should begin with yourself). Maybe there’s something I don’t understand. If I threaten with a vote of non-confidence, who will I rely on to go along with my proposals?
What I have realized about life is that people who get thing for nothing do not know how to appreciate it. I have the tendency to put our politicians in government in that category, because up to now I would like for any one of them to show me what they have done to justify their salary. But then again, when there is no minimum education required to be able to be elected as member of Parliament, what is there to be expected?
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
From 1994 up to now the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman and Degrading Punishment has released devastating reports concerning the detention situation in Point Blanche prison. Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights prohibits torture and inhuman and degrading punishment. This prohibition is applicable on the subhuman detention conditions in Point Blanche which for decades constitutes a flagrant violation of basic human rights.
Sint Maarten already has internationally a dubious reputation concerning this matter and has a recent history of 458 detainees per 100,000 inhabitants, making the top 10 list of the highest detention rate in the world (World Prison Population list tenth edition). Not something to be proud of. The world average is 144. The situation has only worsened after the hurricane damage, with less cells.
The jail is constantly full. There are weekly if not daily fights. People are even being locked up in the infirmary.
Politicians over the last 30 years have done nothing to alleviate the situation. In Sint Maarten there is only attention for structural repression and efforts to maintain the status quo. Reports and sentences have not helped. It’s a structural problem of a dubious inhuman mentality. The next level will be that (more) killings will follow within the walls, that is inevitable in a situation like this.
We went through all this in Curaçao. There is only one structural solution for this problem just like in Curaçao. Leave with ankle band. We had the same problems for years, until in 2005 we introduced a ministerial decree. The benefits are numerous. Politicians with a repressive mind will come up with false arguments. With us it is a permanent solution that we will never abandon.
We have the same penal code as Sint Maarten with the same article and fall under the same Court of First Instance and under the same Superior Common Court of Justice. In Curaçao all governments, Parliament, the public prosecutors’ office, the prison authorities and both courts have accepted this solution as valuable for more than 20 years. All the arguments that are now being used in Sint Maarten need to go in the wastepaper basket, none of them is valid. We have the same laws and the same courts.
Besides that, Article 3 is a so called ‘self-execution’ article that goes above local laws and politicians. Every member state must simply comply, irrespective of what they think locally. Arguments that the ankle band is no alternative for detention is political nonsense. In many countries just like Curaçao it has proved to be the solution for overpopulation. Arguments like it’s only for a short time are also intended to mislead. It’s the most honest solution. Everybody gets the same percentage amount of 15% reduction on their sentence, that can reach up to a max of 18 months for the long stayers.
Before the introduction of the ankle band, we had introduced all kinds of random reductions. From the introduction of the ankle band with leave we do not have the problems anymore and the prison is controllable. The prisoner generally behaves within the walls, because otherwise he will lose his leave. Conditions can be put on the leave so people can be guided on the right track during the leave. There is guidance from the probation officer if needed. Judges have accepted this modality for more than 20 years in Curaçao. If it is unlawful or not according to the law or treaty, they would never have done that under the old and the new law.
So please do not listen to those who can only think in punishment terms, because it is people like that that have caused the actual inhuman suffering that already got Sint Maarten condemned in international human rights courts, which condemnation brought international shame on the whole Kingdom, because violation of Articles 2 (right to life) and Article 3 belong to the most heinous crimes against humanity.
For those of you who can only think in terms of violation of other people’s basic human rights I have the following message. Empathy for the basic human rights of every human being without exception is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and a sign of belonging to the ranks of developed countries. The benefits surpass the costs by far. The alternative is more international condemnation and more crime within or outside the walls.
Eldon “Peppie” Sulvaran
Dear Editor,
In 2019 I was diagnosed with glaucoma. I visited the ophthalmologist regularly and received regular updates. During my visits my main complaint was that I could feel my vision deteriorating. I asked for a more comprehensive study of my eyes and was just told to stick to the prescribed eye drops.
On April 15th, 2024, I woke up with a pounding headache and loss of vision in my right eye. Both my mother and I tried contacting the eye care center, explaining that this is an emergency. We both met with comments like; You need a referral letter, and everyone has an emergency. After reaching out to my doctor and getting a referral letter, my appointment was then set for June, two months later.
During this time, I took it upon myself and went abroad where I arrived, and got my appointment the next day and was tended to first thing in the morning. I was given a comprehensive diagnosis of my situation and a prescription. My doctor’s visit only cost me $85 including the prescription. I was told that I have a very aggressive form of glaucoma that could have been managed better had I gone to visit them sooner. The drops alone were not sufficient to effectively manage the situation.
Another issue that arose and is still present today is my sensitivity to light. Due to me now
only having one functioning eye, if it is overly stimulated by light (PCs, Phones, TVs, etc.) I
get headaches like the one I woke up to when I lost vision in my eye. I have done all that I can to deal with the situation. However, it does not feel like I am receiving the help I need to address this matter head on.
I have had to wait for appointments for longer than seven months while the referral letter is only valid for six. When I showed up with my new referral letter I was told that this is not the same letter and so the appointment will have to be rescheduled. After a bit of back and forth, I did not have to reschedule. I visited the neurologist who basically played a game of “head shoulders knees and toes” with me then told me my nerves are OK and sent me on my way.
My most recent experience was going to the ophthalmologist and having my session cut short due to the fumes from paint as the interior of the building was being repainted. That was May 23rd, 2025. I was told that the appointment would be rescheduled. After following up, I was informed that management has not given the go-ahead for them to reschedule anyone. Only was hearing it would most likely be the first or second week in August but on a Saturday.
There is no sense of urgency, they refuse to send me away, the medical industry in St. Maarten is very transactional. They do not provide care – it is a business. What is the point of being insured when access to medical professionals and services is limited and once received, mediocre at best?
Very upset and disgusted patient.
Name withheld at author’s request.
Dear Editor,
What percentage of gossip is true? I heard a young person telling another one, “You can stick on tint on your car because the boss of the police does tell them not to worry about that.” My police instincts told me to listen further, but I believe that one of the persons in the area pinched him that I was there.
I do not have any details, but I believe where there is smoke there is fire. What I know is that when the police permit wrongdoing it becomes contagious and, as we can see, we do not only have tint, we also have green, blue, yellow and even red lights anywhere on the cars and nobody does a thing about it. Because of the proximity of almost everything on St. Maarten I am indeed inclined to believe that the boss of the police also have noticed that.
But then again, what happened to higher supervision? Should not the prosecutors and/or the Minister of Justice pull up the head of the police sox? Hallo mensen does not the Algemene Politie Verordening (General police ordinance) exist anymore?
Many years ago when my parents migrated back to St. Maarten, my father, who was always interested in my work, told me that there are only but so many roads on St. Maarten With three shifts per day, the police should be able to have patrolled the whole of St. Maarten at least once every two days. When I asked him what was on his mind he said to me, “Not only people who drive should get fines, what about those who keep around their homes dirty? They too should be held accountable for, for instance, dirtying the environment, etc.”
I have heard that the Minister of Justice has plans for surveillance. I applaud that. I will also reiterate, our recruits should go to school on Aruba or Curaçao. After graduation they should work there for about three years and then accordingly return to St. Maarten. It works better that way.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
Our community was once again shaken by the heartbreaking news regarding the passing of a dedicated security officer who for unknown reasons took his own life.
I would like to take this time and extend my deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, other loved ones and all those affected by this loss. No words can ease the pain, but please know that you are in my heart during this incredibly difficult time.
Mental health is not a weakness, it is a reality that so many silently struggle with every day. As a society, we must do better in acknowledging, supporting, and addressing the mental and emotional burdens that individuals carry daily.
To anyone going through hardship, please know you are not alone. There is help, there is hope, and there are people who care. Suicidal thoughts are a sign of deep suffering, not failure, and I urge anyone facing overwhelming difficulties to reach out, speak up, and allow others to support you.
Let this moment remind us of the importance of compassion, understanding, and mental health awareness. Together, we must create an environment where seeking help is not only accepted but encouraged.
May the soul of the fallen officer rest in peace, and may we, as a nation, rise to ensure that no one else suffers in silence.
Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis
