WILLEMSTAD – The protection of the rule of law in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has evolved into a strategic security issue for the entire Kingdom, according to a new assessment by the Dutch Safety Board.
The council warns that effective law enforcement within the Kingdom is becoming increasingly dependent on close cooperation between Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Netherlands, particularly in combating cross-border crime and organized criminal networks.
According to the report, cooperation is essential in areas including detention conditions, forensic psychiatric care, and the exchange of police and judicial information.
At the same time, the council describes that cooperation as vulnerable due to major differences in institutional capacity, legislation, and implementation strength between the countries of the Kingdom.
The report highlights continuing concerns regarding human rights within the prison systems of the Caribbean countries.
The council also points to insufficient development of forensic care systems, including facilities related to TBS measures and juvenile detention treatment programs. According to the report, these shortcomings create risks for both public safety and legal protection within the Kingdom.
Another major concern identified involves data protection and the handling of police information.
The report warns that differences in legislation, information systems, and operational standards between the countries may complicate cooperation between law enforcement agencies and create vulnerabilities within criminal investigations and intelligence sharing.
The council further stresses that organized and undermining crime increasingly requires a coordinated judicial and administrative approach throughout the Kingdom.
According to the report, stronger information exchange mechanisms and more structural cooperation between the countries and their respective services are urgently needed.
The council concludes that strengthening law enforcement can no longer be viewed solely as a local responsibility, but instead as a broader strategic responsibility for the Kingdom as a whole.
It states that achieving sustainable improvements will require long-term investments, political decision-making, and continued cooperation between all countries within the Kingdom.