PHILIPSBURG--Discussion of the United People's (UP) party agenda point about the ongoing issues at the Pointe Blanche House of Detention was halted Thursday afternoon after it was ascertained by a roll call that only two fractions were present for the Central Committee meeting.
UP Member of Parliament (MP) Jules James said his party "will not be silenced or bullied one way or another" from doing the "people's business."
Only the UP parliamentarians were present together with National Alliance (NA) MP Louie Laveist in the General Assembly Hall. Laveist requested a roll call shortly after James, the first speaker on the agenda point, had started his presentation.
The meeting now will be rescheduled for before Parliament goes on recess next week. Justice Minister Roland Duncan spent the better part of the day waiting to report on and answer questions about the prison situation. When informed that the meeting had been cancelled, Duncan said he had had similar experiences in the former Netherlands Antilles Parliament. He indicated that he was keen on having the point handled as soon as possible.
The topic of the prison/prisoners was the fourth agenda point for the day. Just before the previous agenda point about the elimination of the improper use of the six-month labour contract (a draft initiative law) ended, some MPs left the hall and the building, while others waited to leave until the debate on the point began.
There were indications that the coalition MPs would "boycott" the agenda point, as several were not happy because James had said earlier that UP had to sign in to give the meeting a quorum. His remark dealt with the fact that only two NA parliamentarians were present for the debate on the draft initiative law, although NA was the law proposer, and UP was asked to sign in to ensure that the meeting could continue.
James' comment stemmed from earlier statements by Laveist that he did not want further consultations on the draft law as James had suggested, because he believed the people had waited long enough.
Laveist objected to James' comment about coalition MPs not being present, "because they had duly notified" President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell of their absence. He said some MPs "were sick" and others had "very, very important" personal matters "such as weddings."
Adding his standpoint, independent MP Romain Laville said he did not understand the comments about signing in, because UP members would have had to sign in "anyhow" for the meeting, which also had an agenda point they had requested, to go ahead.
After the meeting ended, UP Parliamentarians James, Silvia Meyers-Olivacce, Dr. Ruth Douglass and Johan "Janchi" Leonard expressed their disappointment that the meeting had not continued. They told the press they would not be deterred from obtaining information even if it meant they had to write to the Justice Minister.
James commented that the country had a parliamentary democracy and coalition MPs "walking out" would not stop the democratic process, but in the meantime the situation at the prison continued to be "terrible" and in need of attention.
Meyers-Olivacce described the situation as "very childish behaviour" from MPs who claimed to be working in the people's interest. "When will we grow up? ... Whether we agree or not, we are ready to debate."
Dr. Douglass said the behaviour of the coalition MPs "shows that it is difficult to teach old dogs new tricks." She referred to NA members debating the 2012 budget, but walking out when it was time to vote. MPs having "such highly paid careers" should not play politics with issues, she continued, adding that the prison was "in dire need of attention."
Leonard spoke about the UP members' visit to the prison this week to meet with the Pointe Blanche Inmates Association and to see the facilities. The prisoners "really want to change" and become active participants in the community once released, he said. He also pointed out that something must be done about the housing of mentally-ill prisoners at Pointe Blanche.
MPs signed in for the meeting but not present for the roll call were Roy Marlin (Democratic Party), Hyacinth Richardson and Rodolphe Samuel (both NA), and Laville.
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