Parliament agrees on prohibiting child pornography

October 10, 2008 10:51 AM

Parliament has approved the amendment of the Criminal Code of the Netherlands Antilles this morning, which would officially prohibit child pornography.  This is a private member’s bill of former Parliament-member and current Minister Omayra Leeflang (Public health and Social Development, PAR).

Making, downloading, and distributing of child pornography are currently not liable to punishment.  The bill that was passed this morning will change this. Striking was that the bill was passed without any Parliament-member having spoken, so Chairman of Parliament Pedro Atacho could rush the bill through.

The bill implies imprisonment of a maximum of 4 years for making, downloading, importing, exporting, possessing, or exhibiting child pornography.  People that make this a habit can expect a fine of maximum 100,000 guilders or imprisonment of a maximum of 6 years.  The amendment also includes the expansion of the basis for sanctions on sexual abuse on minors. The punishment for that is currently a maximum of 8 years imprisonment.  The amendment also makes sure that people that attend sexual acts with children, either alone or in groups, or deliberately have sexual acts committed with children or tolerate this, are liable to punishment.

(Source: National newspaper Amigoe)

7 October, 2008