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Ombudsman Seeks To Strengthen Institution With Law Amendments

NA
SPA
ND
UD
Source: The Daily Herald 05 Mar 2025 11:08 PM

From left: Prime Minister Dr NDidate' href='/newspolitician/722/luc-merceliSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NA'>Luc MerceliSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NA , OmbUDsman GweNDolien Mossel aND OmbUDsman Secretary General RaNDolf Duggins.

~ Childrens OmbUDsman proposed ~

PHILIPSBURG--OmbUDsman GweNDolien Mossel has submitted proposed ameNDments to the SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAtioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl ordiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAnce governing the OmbUDsman institution to the Department of Legal Affairs aND Legislation JZ aND W for review.

The submission was made through Prime Minister Dr. NDidate' href='/newspolitician/722/luc-merceliSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NA'>Luc MerceliSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NA for legal aND legislative review. The OmbUDsman said in a press release that the proposed ameNDments aim to enhance the functioning of the OmbUDsman institution, with a major highlight being the introduction of a Childrens OmbUDsman.

The OmbUDsman said this initiative is in accordance with the United SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAtions Convention on the Rights of the Child, reinforcing St. Maartens commitment to protecting the rights aND interests of children. It is important to note that St. Maarten is currently the only country within the Kingdom of the NetherlaNDs lacking legislative provisions for a Childrens OmbUDsman.

In addition to the introduction of the Childrens OmbUDsman, the ameNDments seek to expaND the OmbUDsmans role to inclUDe investigations into complaints from government-owned entities such as GEBE, TelEm, Princess JuliaSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NA InterSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAtioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl Airport (PJIA), aND Sint Maarten Harbor Holding Company. This expansion is crucial to ensure accountability aND address the concerns of citizens regarding these vital services, it was stated in the release.

The proposed ameNDments also inclUDe various procedural enhancements aimed at improving the effectiveness aND efficiency of the investigations carried out by the OmbUDsmans Office.

OmbUDsman Mossel emphasizes the importance of these ameNDments in strengthening the institution aND ensuring that it can effectively serve the public interest.

The OmbUDsmans Office said it looks forward to the positive outcomes of the legal review process, which will ultimately contribute to a more just aND equitable society in St. Maarten.

Luc Mercelina mentioned 2 times

National Alliance [NA] mentioned 11 times
St Maarten Patriotic Alliance [SPA] mentioned 8 times
New Direction St. Martin [ND] mentioned 20 times
United Democrates 2018 [UD] mentioned 17 times
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