Debate on Attorney General
postponed till February 16
PHILIPSBURG--Having only one Attorney General for the Dutch Antilles and the Kingdom Minister of Justice having authority to give instructions to the Attorney General will be topics of discussion on February 16 when Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende visits the Netherlands Antilles.
The Political Steering Group managed to discuss this matter during its meeting on Tuesday at the Belair Community Centre.
On the agenda was an advice drafted by former president of the Common Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles Louis de Lannoy and former Dutch Attorney General Dato Steenhuis.
The advice basically stated that in case there is any conflict with instructions given by the Dutch Justice Minister to the Attorney General the instructions will be presented to court for review.
Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Ank Bijleveld-Schouten said there had been no time to discuss the matter. She hoped for political courage to take decisions on this matter as well on February 16. “It’s important for the process to continue,” she said.
Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams believed the advice gave a basis for further discussion and coming to an agreement. “But further clarification and discussion are necessary,” she said.
The debt position of the Netherlands Antilles also will be discussed during the Balkenende’s visit.
