WILLEMSTAD – Justice Ministers Shalten Hato of Curaçao (MFK) and Foort van Oosten of the Netherlands (VVD) have signed a new cooperation agreement to strengthen forensic care across the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom. The signing took place during the Judicial Four-Country Consultation (JVO) held this week in the Netherlands.
The four ministers of Justice in the Dutch Kingdom
The agreement focuses on the training of professionals who will work with forensic patients—individuals with psychological disorders or behavioral problems who have come into contact with the justice system, either after committing an offense or because they pose a risk of criminal behavior. According to Minister Hato, the initiative is aimed at ensuring better care and supervision for this vulnerable group while also improving public safety.
A dedicated working group on forensic care will be formed within six weeks. This body will operate under a clear mandate to present its first report at the next JVO meeting in January 2026, which will be hosted by St. Maarten. “Between now and January, there will be continuous coordination to prepare this document,” Hato said during a press conference.
Youth Crime and Undermining Also on Agenda
The JVO also addressed youth crime. It was agreed to establish a special working group where all islands, together with the Netherlands, will contribute their perspectives and experiences. The goal is to produce a comprehensive overview of the situation and concrete recommendations by early 2026.
The issue of undermining—criminal infiltration into society and institutions—was postponed until the January session. “Many people are not fully aware of what falls under undermining,” Hato explained, adding that a series of preparatory sessions will take place to clarify how each island approaches the problem before the matter is debated in depth next year.
Challenges in Prison Capacity
Another recurring challenge highlighted during the meeting is the shortage of detention capacity, which affects all islands as well as the Netherlands. The ministers agreed to keep this topic high on the agenda, with proposals expected in the coming year.
Pathway to the Supreme Court and Prosecutor Training
The countries also decided to create a working group tasked with identifying Caribbean candidates for membership in the Supreme Court of the Netherlands. Each country will be able to submit names in writing for consideration before the next consultation.
Finally, the ministers agreed to extend the “Officer in Training” (OiO) program for public prosecutors by three more years. The intensive program, launched in 2019, has already produced four local prosecutors. The extension is expected to strengthen the judiciary in the Caribbean countries of the Kingdom by continuing to develop homegrown talent.
