PHILIPSBURG:--- All the Members of Parliament including those from the coalition government supported a motion presented by the National Alliance and Democratic Party on Monday to demand that Attorney General Guus Schram tender his resignation and also repudiate the statements he made on September 11th 2015 at the swearing in ceremony of a judge on St. Maarten.
Faction Leader MP William Marlin outlined the motion which he said is insulting, degrading and unacceptable to the people of St. Maarten. The motion that was presented by Marlin was passed unanimously by all 15 Members of Parliament.
Prior to submitting the motion to Parliament, Marlin outlined the statements made by Attorney General Guus Schram where he said everyone on St. Maarten is involved in the underworld crimes. Marlin further explained that Guus Schram is an appointed civil servant that is in charge of the entire justice chain including the Prosecutor’s Office. “He is the one that decides which case has priority and which case should be given extra manpower in order for it to be taken to court.” Marlin said that if the Parliament of St. Maarten ignores the statements made by the Attorney General who does not even live on St. Maarten then they as elected officials would have missed the boat. Marlin further explained that when St. Maarten and Curacao were negotiating the status aparte with the Netherlands one of the things they fought for was for each country to have its own Attorney General but they lost that battle. However, that he said that does not mean that St. Maarten will accept everything that is said about the country and its people.
Leader of the Democratic Party, MP Sarah Wescot Williams said she is cognizant of the fact that the Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson does not agree with the statements made by the Attorney General Guus Schram however, she felt that the matter is not closed off. Wescot Williams said it is important for the people to know that the appointment of the Attorney General is political, which she said is regulated by Kingdom Law.
Wescot Williams said that the Attorney General is the Chief Law Enforcement representative and when he was asked to substantiate the statements he made he referred those that asked him to look at the three integrity reports. MP Wescot Williams also reminded parliament of the statements made by the Chief of the National Police Bouman when he visited the country earlier this year. She asked where these law enforcements agents gets the authority and audacity from so that they could make the statements they made. The DP MP said that if this is not stopped then this will live a life of its own for years if not decades.
Members of Parliament from the coalition also expressed their concerns on the statements made by the Attorney General. MP Johan Janchi Leonard said he fully agrees with the opposition and he also supports the motion they present to parliament because if the Parliament does not take a stand then these very statements will be used against St. Maarten in the future.
Leader of the UPP Theodore Heyliger said that Schram has committed an atrocity against the people and country with the statements he made on September 11th. Heyliger said in his view the Attorney General is just as bad as the criminals he prosecutes because he committed a crime against the country which is affecting the country’s image and economy. Heyliger stressed that the statements made by Schram has far reaching consequences. The UPP leader said in his view the Attorney General has gone to another level by intimidating the people of St. Maarten because even the banks are using these statements against the people and politicians when they try to obtain loans.
MP Leona Marlin Romeo read out information she took from Wikipedia where it pointed out that the Netherlands has been involved in corruption and drug trade since the 18th century. She said while the Attorney General made statements he has no proof yet he is making allegations towards the country and its people. MP Cornelius de Weever, also expressed his concerns about the allegations and statements made by politicians in the Netherlands and even by civil servants including the Attorney General.
Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson again informed Parliament that he remains steadfast on what he said about the Attorney General and the statements he made. Minister Richardson further explained that the Attorney General is appointed by the Kingdom and in order for him to be removed from his position he would need support from the Ministers of Justice of Aruba and Curacao.
Minister Richardson said Schram is the Attorney General of St. Maarten, Curacao, and the BES islands and because of this he believes he is in charge of one district.
