Philipsburg:--- Minister of Justice Roland Duncan brought clarity to what is said in the community of St. Maarten when it comes to the issuance of visa waivers to exotic clubs and certain residents on the island.
Recently, SMN News was contacted when a few young women from the Dominican Republic tried to seek refuge at the homes of various women claiming that they were brought to the island by certain men and were being used as "sex slaves". When SMN News was contacted the young girls who were afraid to come forward openly said certain older men on St. Maarten managed to obtain visa waivers for them and they came here with the intention of working as housemaids. SMN News also learnt that the visa waivers are being signed by the Minister's daughter who is working in the Department of Foreign Affairs. On Friday during an interview with the Minister of Justice SMN News asked the Minister about the issuance of visa waivers, whom it is being issued to, and who signs these waivers. The Minister made clear that his daughter does work in the Department of Foreign Affairs within his Ministry but she does not sign off on visa waivers. Minister Duncan said when his daughter used to work in his cabinet she worked on the visa waivers and she also did work for foreign affairs because the department was not yet established. He said when the foreign affairs department was established his daughter left his cabinet and went over to Foreign Affairs because she likes the job. "My daughter does work on the visa waivers but she does not sign them. She makes up the advices but I am the one that signs those documents or the Director of IND who is mandated to sign on my behalf."
The Minister said the only person who is mandated to sign documents on his behalf is the Director of IND Udo Aron. Duncan said visa waivers are issued under extra-ordinary conditions and if someone was brought in and is used as a sex slave then he believes that these matters should be reported to the police because it becomes slavery. Besides that, the Minister of Justice said that visa waivers are issued for a period of three months and not longer.
The Minister further stated that when the new penal code is implemented prostitution will no longer be an illegal act. Persons who want to have sex in exchange for money would have to obtain a license from the Ministry of Justice. In explaining the new policy Minister Duncan said that when someone gets such a permit and they turn it into a business then that becomes a crime (illegal). He said the former Lt. Governor used to issue these permits but he is now refining the law.
"I Don't Own a Whore House" --- Duncan.
The Justice Minister also reacted to the allegations that he owns a house of prostitution and was recently condemned. The Minister denounced the story saying that he does not own a "whore house" he said he invested 37 years of his life in his law firm and he has certain businesses that his company Duncan, Brandon, and Hover established. The Minister felt that there is no conflict of interest involved in what he owns and what he does because he is not the one running his law firm.
The Minister said his pension fund is his savings and he does not need to be in government to survive. Duncan said he is opinion that the reporter and editor of the TODAY Newspaper has something personal against him because he is on a mission to bring him down.
He said just recently when his son in law was arrested the reporter in his reports indicated that they are on the lookout to see if he pulls the plug on the Piranha investigation. Duncan said that the Dutch people in the Netherlands and on St. Maarten hate him because they cannot manipulate him.
Attorney General should "Piss or get off the Pot".
The Minister of Justice also made clear that he has no intention of getting involved in personal cases but he already indicated to the Attorney General both on St. Maarten and Curacao to either "piss or get off the pot" because they would have to give accountability for the monies they spend. He further explained that the national detectives have too many cases lying in their office and he is not happy with their performance. SMN News also asked the Minister about the Election Fraud case that involves four police officers and the United Peoples Party and the so-called case they have against former Minister of Health and Labour Maria Buncamper Molanus. Duncan said it is because of these cases he indicated to the Attorney General of St. Maarten Taco Stein to have the national detectives and the Prosecutor's Office to either piss or get off the pot because these cases are pending for a very long time.
Another issue the Ministry is dealing with is the RST and who would be fully managing the RST. Duncan said the RST will be evaluated sometime next year and that for him will be a major issue. When asked why the RST and the Police does not have the same management, the Minister said that is one of the concerns that he is currently dealing with because while the RST claims to have certain experts, the two entities are functioning separately. Duncan said to date the RST's budget has not been approved and this will be dealt with shortly.
