PHILIPSBURG - The semi-annual Justice Quadripartite Consultation (JQC) has not resulted in an agreement on addressing the 'imbalance in the law enforcement chain' in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. While the Netherlands has significantly increased the budget in recent years, Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten are keeping a tight hold on their finances.
The issue was discussed by Minister of Legal Protection Weerwind (standing in for his colleague Yesilgöz-Zegerius) with the Ministers of Aruba (Tjon), Curaçao (Hato), and Sint Maarten (Richardson). "The countries within the Kingdom are working closely together to combat crime. For the Dutch government, this cooperation is crucial for law enforcement. In recent years, the Netherlands has invested in collaboration with the countries within the Kingdom in the field of cross-border and undermining crime. For this purpose, the Netherlands has supported the countries in investigation, prosecution, and adjudication," the ministry stated. The discussion on addressing the 'imbalance' will continue in the coming period.
During the JQC, various topics were discussed in the field of law enforcement. One of the topics addressed was how to improve the provision of forensic care for youth and adults in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. Minister Weerwind, together with the Minister of Justice of Curaçao, Shalten Hato, will take the lead in this matter. The efforts of all parties involved to train more public prosecutors for the Public Prosecutions in the Caribbean region were also discussed, aiming to better represent the residents of the Caribbean countries within the Public Prosecutions in the Caribbean region. Additionally, there was a joint intention to streamline the extradition procedure for the Caribbean countries of the Kingdom. Other topics included discussions on the operations of the Coast Guard, cooperation to prevent youth crime, and the Kingdom Law on Harmonization of Data Protection.