PHILIPSBURG—Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling delivered a comprehensive update on the state of St. Maarten’s justice sector during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers Press Briefing, outlining significant progress in international cooperation, border security, detention reform and victim support services while emphasizing that the work of strengthening public safety continues on multiple fronts.
Before addressing ministry matters, Tackling extended condolences to the families of two young men who recently lost their lives in separate motorcycle accidents. Calling the incidents “heartbreaking tragedies,” the minister urged motorists and motorcyclists alike to exercise greater caution on the nation’s roads.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and every life lost is one too many,” she stated.
The minister then highlighted a series of high-level international engagements undertaken in recent weeks, including participation in meetings of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) in Trinidad, the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna, and a subsequent working visit to the Netherlands.
According to Tackling, these meetings focused on critical issues affecting St. Maarten, including financial crime, youth violence prevention, cybercrime, border management, detention reform, rehabilitation programs and institutional strengthening.
A key focus of discussions in Trinidad was St. Maarten’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework. While international partners acknowledged progress made over the past year, Tackling noted that significant work remains to address outstanding deficiencies and prepare the country for its next major evaluation cycle.
“Preparation cannot wait until 2032,” Tackling emphasized, noting that readiness efforts must begin as early as 2027 to ensure St. Maarten remains compliant with international financial standards.
In Vienna, the minister represented St. Maarten in global discussions on justice reform and women’s rights within the criminal justice system. She participated in a session focused on implementing the United Nations Bangkok Rules, advocating for gender-responsive justice systems that address rehabilitation, mental health support, reintegration, and family connections for women involved in the justice system.
Tackling also shared St. Maarten’s experiences with detention reform during an international forum examining prison reform in small-island jurisdictions.
The subsequent visit to the Netherlands allowed the ministry to build upon those discussions through direct engagement with Dutch institutions and experts. Topics included youth crime prevention, customs modernization, financial intelligence, illegal firearms, detention reform and border security.
The minister revealed that she also visited correctional facilities in the Netherlands and met with St. Maarten nationals currently serving sentences abroad. The visits, she said, provided valuable insight into rehabilitation challenges and reintegration opportunities for inmates who may eventually return to St. Maarten society.
At home, Tackling reported that Immigration and Border Protection Services (IBPS) continues to prepare for significant modernization initiatives, including the rollout of the long-awaited Foreign Management System (FMS).
The new immigration platform, expected to go live on July 1, will modernize permit processing, improve record management and increase operational efficiency within immigration services.
As part of those efforts, the ministry will host a public information session on employment and residence permit procedures on June 25 at the Government Administration Building.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies continue to intensify efforts to combat violent crime, illegal firearms trafficking and narcotics-related offenses. Tackling praised the ongoing work of the Police Force of St. Maarten (KPSM), Customs Department and Immigration and Border Protection Services, noting that coordinated enforcement operations remain critical to maintaining public safety and strengthening border security.
The minister also highlighted the work being carried out by Victim Support Services, particularly in assisting victims of domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Recent participation in the Victim Support Europe Conference and collaboration with regional partners through the No Mas No More Network have further strengthened support systems for victims throughout the Dutch Caribbean.
Despite ongoing challenges, Tackling said the Ministry of Justice remains committed to modernizing systems, reforming institutions and improving services for the people of St. Maarten.
“Meaningful progress is being made across a number of areas, often quietly and without headlines,” she said. “The work of strengthening public safety, improving our institutions, reforming detention, modernizing our systems, supporting victims and protecting our borders is ongoing.”
The minister reaffirmed that the Ministry of Justice will continue to keep the public informed as these initiatives advance in the months ahead.
