WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s Minister of Justice, Shalten Hato, has paid a working visit to the Research and Documentation Centre (WODC) in The Hague, focusing on closer cooperation in the field of scientific research and policy development.

During the visit, Minister Hato stressed the urgent need for reliable studies on youth crime, noting that solid data is essential for shaping effective public policy. “Without accurate information, we cannot implement sustainable solutions,” the minister said.

The WODC, which provides independent research for the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, expressed its willingness to conduct studies tailored to Curaçao’s policy priorities. These will particularly focus on crime, youth delinquency, migration, corruption, and money laundering.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Justice in Curaçao, the aim is to carry out research that not only provides factual analysis but also offers practical perspectives for policy solutions. Such collaboration, the ministry noted, will help strengthen the island’s ability to address complex challenges with evidence-based measures.