GREAT BAY--Ombudsman Gwendolien Mossel has described 2025 as a defining year for the Bureau Ombudsman, marked by expanded institutional cooperation, proposed legislative reforms and increased public engagement, while cautioning that persistent weaknesses continue to affect the functioning of St. Maarten’s public administration.
Mossel said the institution reached several milestones during the year, including its participation in the first gathering of all four Ombudsman institutions within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the signing of a formal Protocol of Cooperation to address shared regional challenges.
The Bureau also submitted legislative proposals intended to expand the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction and establish a dedicated Children’s Ombudsman. Mossel described the latter as an overdue step toward bringing St. Maarten into closer alignment with its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Her reappointment as Ombudsman for another seven-year term was also highlighted as a sign of institutional continuity and confidence in the Bureau’s leadership and work.
Mossel noted that public engagement reached a new level in 2025, with the number of Information Window contacts increasing by more than 30 percent. She linked the rise to greater public confidence and the value of institutional stability, which allows residents to feel that their concerns will be heard.
However, the Ombudsman cautioned that political stability alone does not guarantee good governance. The Bureau continued to identify structural weaknesses within the Ministry of VROMI, the wider justice sector and General Affairs, particularly the Personnel Department and the Public Service Center.
To strengthen communication and encourage administrative improvements, the Ombudsman introduced a series of Ombudsman Meets sessions with ministries during the year. Working sessions were held with the Ministries of VSA and VROMI, involving the ministers and their senior management teams.
The discussions focused on recurring patterns identified through investigations and practical measures ministries could take to improve their responses to the public. The Bureau intends to extend the sessions to the remaining ministries and encourage a more proactive culture of accountability across government.
Mossel cautioned that the progress achieved by the Bureau should not obscure persistent weaknesses across the public administration. She pointed in particular to recurring problems within VROMI, the wider justice sector and General Affairs, including delays, weak human resource management, limited enforcement and poor coordination between ministries. The report makes clear that capacity constraints cannot continue to serve as justification for administrative failures that affect residents’ rights, livelihoods and access to essential government services.
She also warned that accountability depends on government entities acting on the Ombudsman’s findings, rather than allowing recommendations to remain unresolved. The Bureau issued 67 recommendations in 2025, yet several recommendations from previous years were still outstanding. Concerns also remained about delays within P&O and arbitrary practices at the Public Service Center, including barriers that restrict residents’ access to government. Mossel stressed that political stability must be matched by measurable improvements in responsiveness, transparency and the quality of service provided to the public.
The Ombudsman also placed greater focus on the treatment and protection of vulnerable residents. Two major undertakings during 2025 were the launch of a systemic investigation into domestic violence and child abuse and a sexual harassment training initiative conducted in collaboration with Victim Support Services.
Mossel said the work reflected the Bureau’s responsibility not only to examine government conduct, but also to confront the cultural and structural conditions that allow women, children and victims of abuse to be failed by the institutions intended to protect them.
The Ombudsman also paid tribute to former Secretary General Randolf Duggins, who departed the Bureau after a decade of service following his appointment to the Kingdom Council of State. Mossel credited Duggins with playing an important role in the development of the Bureau and described his appointment as a source of pride for the institution.
Looking ahead, the Ombudsman stressed that strengthening good governance will require continued persistence, accountability and a commitment to protecting the rights and interests of the people of St. Maarten.
