A press conference was held by the Ombudsman Bureau, on March 12th 2012. Some topics discussed were the current status of the bureau; new staff members; new logo; re-opening of complaints process to the public as of April 2, 2012 and some other issues.
The Ombudsman’s New Logo
New Staff members: Consultant Ms.Jos Bruijn, Complaint Officer Ms. Charleen Bell, Complaint Officer Ms. Kim Huisman, Adminstrative Assisstant Ms. Rose Davis, Secretary General Ms. Patricia Philips and Ombudsman Dr Nilda Arduin
The following is the presentation made by Dr Nilda Arduin
Press Conference
Date: Monday, March 12, 2012
Time: 9:30 am
Venue: Bureau Ombudsman
Camille Richardson Street #13
St. Maarten
Agenda
1. Accepting complaints per April 2nd 2012
2. Introduction new staff
* Detaché Nationale Ombudsman:*to train staff
(Jos de Bruijn/ Lawyer) *to assist with senior legal advice
*special assignments
*selection senior legal advisor
* Complaint Officer: *locally found (junior attorney)
(Kim Huisman/ Lawyer) *duo team with Ms. Charleen Bell
3. Results after ‘dry run’ period
* Experience:
Type/ nature of complaints (procedures and policies not properly followed; absence of procedures/not clear or known on the work floor; committees not installed; duration to receive answers/no answer (see attachment)
* Complaints:
Majority cases were closed by Interventions.
Clearing of outstanding investigations (2CO’s guidance of detacher).
* Need for Information about the Bureau Ombudsman, reason the start of Information Campaign today.
* Newsletter for Government Administration and public.
* Info on Government website; our website is under construction.
4. What is a complaint?
5. Who can file a complaint?
6. Against whom?
7. Legal requirements to file a complaint:
* Previous notification to the pertinent department (the department should know that the person has a grievance).
* In writing (complaint form).
8. When is the Ombudsman not authorized to investigate?
9. What are we investigating?
If the standards/principles of proper conduct are applied.
The objective is to promote good governance.
10. As a new country, a player on the international field of countries, compliance with international standards is key.
See newspaper of Thursday, March 8th, 2012, "St. Maarten is one of three countries the US State Department has just designated as major money-laundering countries?" SXM is placed on a watch-list in this regard.
We are not isolated and are obviously being watched by others how we execute our newly acquired responsibilities. We should be aware that we are now responsible and accountable to not only our own citizens and our Kingdom partners, but also to the world. We are called to answer for ourselves.
Compliance with standards/principles of good governance required in a democracy is not a choice, but a requirement.
The Ombudsman is a new institution for us, but internationally already seen as the fourth pillar in a democracy, next to legislator, executive and judiciary. As such the European Ombudsman was requested to draft the European standards for good governance for the collective countries.
Undermining the institution of Ombudsman will mean undermining our own democracy.
We are very conscious that information needs to be communicated, and awareness created both within and outside government and government entities of the importance, the work and the procedures of the Ombudsman and the Bureau. Last month we made our Handbook available to the public.
Not all civil servants are quite familiar with the Principles of Proper Government. In that respect our Bureau is assisting the Ministries, and by extension the Ministers, who are ultimately responsible for good governance, with understanding and improving good governance.
11.Opening hours of the Bureau for the public to get information: Monday-Friday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
For filing a complaint or see a Complaint Officer: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10:00 am -2:00 pm, starting as of Monday April 2nd 2012.
Advice: Any person that wants to file a complaint with the Ombudsman needs to make sure that the grievance is first filed/addressed with the pertinent department. The department should know your concern.