PHILIPSBURG--The Justice Ministers of Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands and St. Maarten on Monday signed a revised and updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to tackle human trafficking and human smuggling.

 

The Justice Ministers, who met on Sunday and Monday for the Judicial Four-Party Consultation, also agreed to a 15-point decision list that includes the strengthening of the Justice system on the three islands. The decision list also was signed at a press conference at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort at the end of Monday's meeting.

 

According to the decision list, it was agreed to review the MOU on cooperation in the fight against human trafficking, following which the agreement was signed.

 

The strengthening of law enforcement in the Dutch Caribbean was a major point on the decision list. After the consultations of January 15, a plan was drafted to strengthen law enforcement in the Dutch Caribbean. Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten gave a reaction to the Dutch proposals, which will be included in a joint plan that still needs to be drafted.

 

St. Maarten signed a protocol on May 24 in connection with the strengthening of law enforcement. The four ministers acknowledge the plan and the necessity to reinforce the partners in the judiciary, and state they will make financial means available to put the plan into effect. It was also agreed to study the possibilities to intensify cooperation within the existing possibilities and financial frameworks.

 

Also on the decision list is the setting up of joint information communication technology (ICT) facilities for the Caribbean Netherlands, Curaçao and St. Maarten in 2016.

 

Parties also underlined the importance of following up on recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CPT and uniformity in interim inspections of detention facilities.

 

The Council on Law Enforcement (Raad voor de Rechtshandhaving) will be requested to report periodically on the detention situation in the Caribbean Netherlands, Curaçao and St. Maarten. It was recommended that the Council make use of specific expertise from the Dutch Security and Justice Inspectorate.

 

The Council also was requested to also hold inspections at the detention facilities in Aruba with technical assistance from the Inspectorate. It was requested that local workers be used in the inspections. No decision has yet been made as to the frequency of inspections.

 

According to the decision list, the Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten and Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, is facing liquidity problems due to late payments by participating countries. It has been agreed that the backlog in payments will be settled before July 8. The same goes for outstanding payments to the Attorney-General's Office.

 

During the Judicial Four-Party Consultation, the Dutch delegation gave an explanation of the proposal to change the law on Dutch citizenship in connection with the revocation of Dutch citizenship in the interest of national security, as discussed in the Kingdom Council of Ministers on April 24.

 

The role of the Ministers of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten in case of revocation of nationality of a resident of one of these three countries was discussed.

 

Under the Kingdom Law the Minister of Security and Justice has a formal role in the revocation of Dutch citizenship. The Netherlands promised to consult with the respective Ministers of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao or St. Maarten in the event that a resident's citizenship would be revoked. This provision will be included in the explanation of the draft law. It was not deemed necessary to amend the proposal to this effect.

 

The draft law is currently being perused by the Council of State for advice and will be discussed again in the Kingdom Council of Ministers at a later date.

 

Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ard van der Steur told reporters at the press conference that parties had found a way to cooperate further to make the islands safer than they are today. "This was a very successful meeting," he said.

 

Van der Steur, who was visiting St. Maarten for the first time, said he had experienced the island thanks to Governor Eugene Holiday, who took him around on Sunday to places such as Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities.

 

Also at the press conference were Curaçao Justice Minister Nelson Navarro and Aruba Justice Minister Arthur Dowers. The four Justice Ministers will meet again in December 2015 for the next Kingdom Judicial Consultation in Aruba.

 

The Daily Herald