Attorney General Piar concerned about increasing verbal assault

September 26, 2011 10:48 AM

Verbal assault could degenerate into physical violence and that will be of no avail to anyone. Arguments are settled with violence as witnessed again this week when this led to a new murder.

Attorney General Dick Piar of the Public Prosecutor (OM) expressed his concern about the increasing verbal assault in his speech on the installation of the four new judges yesterday.

Freedom of speech is essential in a democratic constitutional state but according to Piar, this occurs more and more in a blunt, insulting or absolute discriminating manner. Verbal assault can cause considerable human affliction and it puts the relations on edge unnecessarily. “People tear each other to shreds with words, with a liberal vocabulary. However, for those with a limited vocabulary, the path to physical violence is near at hand.”

In Piar’s opinion, verbal assault for example on the slavery period could regenerate hatred and degenerate into physical violence. “We must not renounce our history, nor go back in time. The then excesses and cruelties must be placed in the context of that period and modern variants of human trafficking and slave running must be suppressed with all one’s might.” The suppression of such must be considered a priority and it is now finally punishable by law.

With all the violence in the entire world, the multi-cultural population of the island always knew how to express their opinion in a refined manner. “This is one or our distinguishing characteristics. Let’s continue with our refined but vehement discussions and lead our young country to a bright future,” says Piar.

“The professional attitude of the OM enables people who, after a career with the OM, decide to fulfill a role in the administration of justice without there being a conflict of interest. After all, this is a risk in a small community. However, practice has meanwhile proved there’s no ‘hand in glove-culture’ between the OM and former members.” Although Piar hadn’t mentioned any names, it is almost clear he meant Wouter Tielkemeijer, who became a lawyer after retiring as officer and now assists lottery boss Robbie dos Santos, a suspect in the mega case Bientu. Dos Santos is suspected of forging lottery tickets, laundering millions of guilders and tax evasion. He is still residing abroad.

24 September 2011