WILLEMSTAD - Justice ministers Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius (the Netherlands), Rocco Tjon (Aruba), Gilmar Pisas (Curaçao) and Anna Richardson (Sint Maarten) held their semi-annual Four-Party Judicial Consultation (JVO) on Thursday. This consultation took place digitally, under the chairmanship of Curaçao.
For Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, cooperation with the countries in the Caribbean region is essential, among other things to fight crime. The minister is also responsible for the justice chain in the Caribbean Netherlands.
The Dutch minister discussed the joint approach to organized crime with her colleagues. Discussions were held, among other things, on how the ministers can work together to ensure that Coast Guard personnel can operate in each other's coastal regions. This is important for tackling drug and people smuggling.
There was also discussion about young people in (organized) crime. The countries have a joint approach to prevent young people from ending up in this. They mainly want to work preventively.
Agreements have also been made about allowing prison staff to work in other prisons. This could promote knowledge and practical experience. In addition, the countries agreed to cooperate in the further development of forensic care for both adults and minors in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
The countries have made EUR 2.5 million (for three years) available for the optimization of information exchange. For the detection of crime, a fast and secure exchange of information between countries is important. With the funds, information hubs in the countries can be strengthened, training can be provided and ICT becomes available.
Finally, during the JVO, the safeguarding of cooperation between the five police forces within the Kingdom was discussed. The next JVO will take place in June on Bonaire under the Dutch presidency.