St.Maarten Bar Association commends authorities for new Holding Facility.

Philipsburg: ---The St. Maarten Bar Association is pleased with the construction of the new Holding Facility for undocumented persons in Simpson Bay. For many years, the bar has been sharply critical about the holding facility in Philipsburg. Criminal suspects, undocumented person, young, or old have been locked up together in cramped unhygienic circumstances. The fact that change is coming is good news. "Better late than never" the Bar's secretary attorney Remco M. Stomp stated in a short press release. It is imperative to separate undocumented people from criminal suspects and children from grownups.
The situation for detainees presently is still far beneath all civilized standards, little to nothing has improved. For that reason every initiative to improve this inhuman situation is welcomed, however the given timeframe of ten months will be closely monitored Stomp said. The construction at the police station took almost 3 years to finish and is still not finalized.
As long as St.Maarten is economically, doing better than the surrounding islands in the region the island must expect immigration form abroad to continue. For this situation, the island must have a properly working immigration system in place including proper institutions with well-trained personnel and capable management.
Holding spaces for undocumented individuals will remain essential in order to return the unwanted guests to their place of origin. Locking up people for immigration reasons should however be last resort for government to turn to in case immigrants do not return voluntarily, the law states. In addition, the holding facility should meet minimum standards. The fact that St.Maarten will be getting such a facility is a step in the right direction and shows that the Island is seriously preparing for its new status Stomp concluded.