On Tuesday, March 10, 2015, the Council of Ministers (COM) met with the Ombudsman, Nilda Arduin and her support staff, Secretary General Patricia Philips, and Legal Advisor Marlon Hart.
The Ombudsman informed the Council regarding its research of administrative bodies (‘zelfstandige bestuursorganen’) and the definition thereof.
The Ombudsman is, pursuant to article 78 of the Constitution of Sint Maarten, charged with the investigation of the behaviour of administrative bodies of the Country.
It is important to establish which administrative bodies fall under the mandate of the Ombudsman. The process started soon after 101010 and is now close to completion.
A tentative list of possible applicable administrative bodies has been presented to and discussed with the Council of Ministers.
A final list will be established by the Ombudsman taking into account the received feedback from the Council based on the forthcoming advice from the Department of Legal Affairs & Legislation.