Lewis Urges Practical Security Laws, Better-Equipped Justice Institutions at ParlAmericas

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis has called for stronger regional cooperation, better-equipped justice institutions and practical legislation to combat cybercrime and organized crime, warning that smaller Caribbean countries such as St. Maarten face increasingly complex security threats without the financial and technical resources available to larger nations.

Lewis, a Member of Parliament representing the Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) party and Chairman of Parliament's Justice Committee, made the appeal while participating as a panelist in discussions on democratic security at the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Security meeting, held at the National Congress of Chile in Valparaíso.

The regional gathering, held from October 21 to 23, brought together parliamentarians and security specialists to examine the growing influence of organized crime, cybercrime and other threats to democratic institutions throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Drawing on his experience with Immigration and Border Protection, the Police Force of St. Maarten, the National Detective Agency, his tenure as Minister of Justice and his current parliamentary responsibilities, Lewis emphasized that security must extend beyond traditional law enforcement.

"Democratic security means that people can live safely, exercise their rights, participate freely in public life, and trust that public institutions serve them fairly," Lewis stated.

He warned that organized crime poses threats beyond individual criminal activities, particularly through corruption, intimidation, illicit financing and attempts to influence public institutions. Such activities, he explained, can undermine democratic governance and weaken public confidence in government.

Lewis stressed that addressing these threats requires independent institutions, transparent decision-making and consistent parliamentary oversight, alongside effective law enforcement.

A central focus of his contribution was the challenge facing smaller Caribbean jurisdictions, where limited budgets, personnel and technical expertise must be used to confront increasingly sophisticated criminal networks and digital threats.

"A small jurisdiction still needs a functioning justice system and credible cybersecurity arrangements. Those responsibilities do not disappear because the population is smaller," MP Lewis said.

He advocated for greater regional cooperation, including arrangements that would allow smaller countries to share forensic services, specialist knowledge, investigative resources and training opportunities.

Lewis also highlighted the importance of strengthening procedures for cross-border investigations and preserving electronic evidence, particularly as criminal activities increasingly extend beyond national boundaries.

Turning to the legislative responsibilities of parliamentarians, Lewis cautioned against introducing stronger security laws without first ensuring that the institutions responsible for implementing them have the necessary resources and capabilities.

"We cannot assume that passing legislation means the country is prepared," Lewis stated.

He urged parliaments to engage investigators, prosecutors, the judiciary, businesses, technical specialists, civil society organizations and victim-support services when developing new security legislation.

According to Lewis, legislative reforms must be accompanied by clearly assigned responsibilities, adequate funding, trained personnel, appropriate equipment and measurable reporting requirements.

He also emphasized the need for stronger mechanisms to trace criminal proceeds, protect witnesses, improve reporting channels for victims and periodically review legislation to determine whether the intended results are being achieved.

Throughout his contribution, Lewis maintained that efforts to strengthen public safety must not come at the expense of democratic freedoms and constitutional protections.

He stressed that investigative powers should be clearly defined, proportionate and subject to proper authorization and independent oversight. At the same time, legislation must safeguard freedom of expression, journalism and political participation.

His participation placed the challenges facing St. Maarten and other small Caribbean jurisdictions within the wider regional discussion on security, particularly the need for countries to cooperate in addressing crimes that increasingly cross national borders.

Lewis emphasized that effective democratic security depends not only on the strength of legislation but also on the ability of institutions to implement laws, cooperate across jurisdictions and remain accountable to the people they serve.

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