We the parents and family of the four youths who were arrested on Monday morning would like to react to the article published on the front page of the Daily Herald on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. In this article it stated that R.L.G (16), K.R (17), D. de B (15), and M v.d.s. (15) were arrested. R.L.G. is 15 not 16. The article states that “Chief of Basic Police Care in Statia explained the police had tried to carry out the operation discretely.” It later states “the police underlined that the arrests had been made according to the rules. The police announced their presence, requested homeowners open the doors”. What the articles do not mention is that at the time of entry the children were asleep. 5 to 7 police officers from Bonaire violently entered the homes by forcing the doors open, screamed “police” through out the homes, violently pulled the children out of their beds, slammed them on the floor, pushed their faces on the floor, handcuffed and blindfolded them, and brought the children to the police station in their boxer draws. The children were screaming and crying that they did nothing wrong. Is this a way to treat a minor child? A grandmother (73) was present and younger children observed the altercation. It was violent, aggressive and NOT within the law.
During the day the children were questioned. The parents waited outside the police station to see their children and were given no information. Some children were questioned prior to speaking to a lawyer and all of their detention’s were extended prior to some parents or children speaking to a lawyer. The police or prosecutor did not explain to the parents what the arrests were made for. Most parents found out the charges through the article appearing in the Daily Herald the next day. Information was not provided in a sufficient manner and there was no transparency.
Even more disturbing is that 2 children were sent to Bonaire and the police did not properly inform the parents. One parent was told by their 10 year old son when she was coming home. This parent was at the police station during the questioning a half hour earlier. Why did the police not inform her properly then? Many people came to support the children as they left Statia to go to Bonaire. Teachers stood on in disbelief because they know these children do not deserve to be criminalized by the police. People were shouting and crying in emotion in a show of protest to the police and support to the children. There was a sense of disbelief. To suppress this emotion after the children left, the police made the situation worse and proceeded to arrest and beat R.L.G.s and K.R.s cousin under the accusation of throwing bottles. As he was on the ground being handcuffed, the officers proceeded to beat him with a baton in his head and kick him in the face.
The article states that Youth and Family was on standby. The parents were told that someone from Youth and Family would go with the minors to Bonaire. They did not go and the children went to Bonaire by themselves. The parents had no information on where their children would be sent and how to contact the children. Once again no information was provided. Two days after being sent to Bonaire, with the assistance of family members in Bonaire and the lawyers, the children were located and the parents were able to speak to the children.
For the 2 children who remained in Statia, a parent was not allowed to see her son even through she had an appointment As minors children are allowed to have visitors two times a day. The police have no right to deny a mother access from seeing her child while incarcerated. After peaceful protest, this parent was allowed to see her son.
We, the parents and family of these minor children would like to reiterate that the article presented in the Daily Herald on October 27 did not provide accurate information. There was a reason why one parent was seen kneeling in prayer on the steps of the police station. There was a reason why one parent’s screams could be heard so loudly. The aggressiveness, hatred and unprofessionalism in which these children and families were handled by the police and the prosecution should not be tolerated in a democratic society where human rights are an inalienable right. Sint Eustatius is not a police state. To this date no evidence has been presented. With such an aggressive and forceful arrest and the seriousness of the charges it would seem that evidence would be available.
In closing we would like to state that the children remain in good spirits. In the words of one of the children “we will be home soon because we did not do anything”. Keep your heads up, we love you, we are proud of you and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Parents and Family of R.L.G., K.R., D. de B, M.v.d.s.
Dr. Teresa E. Leslie
Ms. Cristie van de Sande
Mr. John De Bruin
Ms. Tamara Richardson
Mr. Sean Richardson
Mrs. Lydia Richardson
Mr. Derek Grant
Ms. Ria Van Roest
Ms. Grace Brissett
Mr. Andre Brissett
Ms. Louise van Putten
Mrs. Eoline Brissett
Rev. Ethon Brissett
Mrs. Ebbie Schmidt