PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis told members of parliament on Thursday that there are no written guidelines to stop any political party or members of the public from gathering; this is contrary to the decision taken by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday.
Lewis returned to parliament on Thursday to deliver answers to questions posed to him last week regarding the uptick in shootings in St. Maarten in recent weeks. During the second round of the meeting, Members of Parliament from the opposition benches, namely the National Alliance and the United Peoples Party, questioned the Minister of Justice on why the Council of Ministers decided to cancel all public meetings. They asked if anything had changed since their last meeting with the government and justice officials, who told them that there was no indication to show that the shooting on July 17th, 2024, was politically motivated.
Former Prime Minister and now Member of Parliament Silveria Jacobs presented a motion on the floor of parliament stating that the parliament of St. Maarten expresses its disapproval of the ad hoc decision taken by the Council of Ministers to unilaterally cancel all public events, meetings, gatherings, and election day gatherings.
The motion also states that the Prime Minister or Council of Ministers did not consult with its stakeholders before canceling the public events.
Minister Lewis announced that he is responsible for the guidelines and that there are no official guidelines he signed. Lewis clarified that everything has to be appropriately done in consultation with the stakeholders, and only then will a decision be made. “There are no guidelines because the Justice Ministry is busy combing through everything, so we cannot stop you from having those public meetings.” Members of Parliament roared when they heard the announcement made by the Minister of Justice.
Leader of the United Peoples Party Omar Ottley said in his address to parliament that the Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis should take his time and adequately consult with justice stakeholders. “Ottley said my second proposal of order is to somehow get Luc out of here, I am done I have had enough, I have had enough with the games from the entire cabinet. It is utter nonsense, and I am glad I am not in the position of the other parties that had to postpone their public meetings for tonight. This move is vote suppression, and it is the motive of Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina.”
Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams, in her proposal of order, called on the Minister to have his consultations, work as soon as possible on the guidelines, and send them to the Parliament of St. Maarten.
Member of Parliament Cloyd Marlin said St. Maarten was becoming a comedy club and asked if anyone should believe anything from Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina.
The public meeting has been adjourned until next week when the Minister will return to provide answers to questions posed on Thursday.
