WILLEMSTAD – The Raad voor de Rechtshandhaving has warned of a structural crisis within the justice and law enforcement systems of the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In its latest report, State of Law Enforcement 2025, the Council says critical reform plans continue to stall because of chronic staff shortages and a lack of resources.
According to the report, police forces, the justice system, and prison institutions across the Caribbean territories are under severe pressure, with rising workloads and the continued loss of experienced personnel.
The Council says these shortages are weakening the ability of institutions to function effectively and maintain public safety.
The report also highlights difficulties in cooperation between the countries within the Kingdom, particularly when it comes to sharing information and coordinating law enforcement efforts.
According to the Council, those cooperation problems are limiting the effectiveness of crime prevention and criminal investigations across borders.
Special concern was raised about prison conditions in Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
The Council warned that staff shortages combined with deteriorating infrastructure are creating dangerous conditions inside detention facilities.
The report stresses that without urgent structural investment and stronger cooperation between the Kingdom partners, the justice system risks further deterioration, potentially affecting public security and the rule of law across the Caribbean territories.