WILLEMSTAD – Minister of Justice Shalten Hato has held talks with senior representatives of the Council of Europe on detention conditions, forensic care and possible support for further reforms of Curaçao’s prison system.
Hato met with Clare Ovey, Director of Human Rights, and Clare Brown, Head of Division in the department responsible for supervising the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
Minister of Health, Environment and Nature Tyron “Ty” Boekhoudt participated virtually in the discussions.
The talks addressed detention conditions and mental health care for people serving lengthy prison sentences, the development of forensic care, the use of force in detention facilities and prisoners’ access to legal assistance.
The parties also discussed ways in which the Council of Europe could provide practical support to Curaçao as the island continues reforms and improvements within its detention system.
According to Hato, the discussions focused on concrete improvements and the development of a system in which security, psychiatric care, rehabilitation and human dignity are addressed together.
The meeting follows broader discussions between Curaçao and the Council of Europe on strengthening human rights protections and cooperation in areas including detention, rehabilitation and forensic care.