WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao and Suriname have strengthened their cooperation in the justice sector with the signing of an addendum to an existing agreement that allows experienced Surinamese correctional officers to temporarily support the Justitiële Jeugdinrichting Curaçao (JJIC).
The addendum was signed on July 31, 2026, by the Ministry of Justice of Curaçao and the Ministry of Justice and Police of the Republic of Suriname. It formalizes the temporary deployment of four experienced Surinamese correctional professionals to the youth detention facility in Curaçao.
The cooperation builds on the Twinning Agreement in the Justice Sector signed between both countries on January 16, 2025. The deployment will last three months and focuses on knowledge exchange, strengthening institutional capacity and further improving the quality of guidance and security within the JJIC.
The collaboration reflects the historical and cultural ties between Curaçao and Suriname and the shared belief that countries in the region can strengthen each other by sharing expertise, experience and professional knowledge.
Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas signed the addendum on behalf of Minister of Justice Shalten Hato and emphasized the importance of regional cooperation.
“The relationship between Curaçao and Suriname is built on mutual trust, shared values and a joint responsibility for a safe and fair society,” Pisas stated. “This cooperation demonstrates that Caribbean countries can support each other through knowledge, experience and professionalism.”
He expressed appreciation to Suriname for making experienced personnel available and described the initiative as an investment in the further professionalization of Curaçao’s justice institutions.
The agreement includes specific arrangements regarding the implementation and evaluation of the project. However, the administrative and operational responsibility for the JJIC remains fully with Curaçao.
According to the government, the cooperation represents not only practical support for the youth detention facility but also an example of regional solidarity and partnership within the Caribbean.