WILLEMSTAD – A proposed amendment to Curaçao’s Criminal Code is facing increasing resistance in Curaçao Parliament, with both opposition and coalition members expressing concerns over changes to the rules governing conditional release.
At the center of the debate is a proposal that would allow a form of “financial security” to be required as part of conditional release. Critics argue that such a measure risks creating inequality, where a detainee’s release could depend partly on financial means.
Member of Curaçao Parliament Suzy Camelia-Römer (MAN-PIN) has been a leading voice in the criticism, warning that the proposal could lead to legal inequality and give excessive discretionary power to the Minister of Justice. She has submitted an amendment aimed at limiting the scope of the measure and ensuring clearer safeguards.
The concerns are now gaining broader support, including from coalition parties. Several lawmakers emphasize that decisions on conditional release should remain based on behavior, rehabilitation progress, and readiness for reintegration into society, rather than financial capability.
Minister of Justice Shalten Hato has acknowledged that the proposal contains ambiguities and has indicated that he is open to adjustments. He confirmed that he will review the opposition’s amendment before the legislation is finalized, suggesting that changes may still be made.
The debate highlights a key legal distinction. While financial guarantees are commonly used in pre-trial detention to reduce the risk of flight, conditional release is intended to support rehabilitation and behavioral change.
The discussion has evolved into a broader debate on equality before the law and the role of the minister in decisions that directly affect personal freedom.