The Ministry of Justice of Curaçao: Upholding Law and Order Amid Challenges
January 17, 2025
The Ministry of Justice of Curaçao is the largest governmental ministry on the island. Through various organizational units, it is tasked with ensuring public safety and upholding justice. It encompasses several key entities, each responsible for critical aspects of law enforcement, judicial support, and societal rehabilitation.
The Ministry has at least the following responsibilities insofar as they are not assigned to another ministry:
a. the development, codification, and amendment of civil law, criminal law, administrative law, and commercial law;
b. oversight of the judicial apparatus;
c. maintaining public order, peace, and safety, as well as the protection of persons and property;
d. operational leadership and coordination in disaster management;
e. responsibility for investigation, prosecution, and law enforcement;
f. policy on detention and rehabilitation, prison management, incarceration and release, including pardons and amnesties;
g. implementation of visa and immigration policies;
h. juvenile justice protection;
i. border control of persons.
The Ministry of Justice employs 1,739 full-time equivalents (FTEs).
The Ministry includes:
1. Police Force (Korps Politie Curaçao): Responsible for maintaining public order and combating crime.
2. Public Prosecutor's Office (OM): Handles criminal prosecutions independently, with the Minister of Justice providing general directives.
3. Immigration Department: Oversees border control and residency matters.
4. Prison System (Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Kòrsou): Manages detainees and works on their rehabilitation.
5. Youth Protection and Rehabilitation Sector: Focuses on supporting and rehabilitating young offenders, aiming to reintegrate them into society as responsible citizens.
The Ministry also plays a role in the Landsrecherche, the Recherche Samenwerkingsteam (RST), and the Coast Guard, working collaboratively to address specialized and transnational challenges.
Additionally, the Ministry includes supra-sectoral organizations, which coordinate to ensure the effective functioning of all justice-related entities. The Ministry operates under the leadership of the Secretary-General, who ensures coordination among its various sectors and alignment with national priorities.
Maintaining public order in Curaçao remains a daunting task. While the island is considered relatively safe for tourists and hosts world-class events like the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival without major issues, it faces significant hurdles:
• Transnational crime: Including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering.
• Cybercrime.
• Resource shortages: Insufficient police personnel and equipment hinder effective law enforcement.
• Overloaded Public Prosecutor’s Office: Despite recent statements from OM leadership claiming that resources are sufficient, the backlog of corruption and criminal cases remains a pressing concern.
Recent developments have brought mixed signals regarding the challenges facing Curaçao’s justice system. Following public pressure, OM leadership stated that no additional resources were needed. However, the reality tells a different story: case processing times remain alarmingly long, often spanning years, leaving many corruption and criminal cases unresolved.
Adding to these concerns is the deteriorating state of the prison system, which struggles with overcrowding, insufficient facilities, and limited resources for rehabilitation. These systemic issues highlight the urgent need for structural reforms within the Ministry of Justice.
Despite these challenges, the Ministry plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law. By fostering collaboration among its diverse sectors and addressing these pressing bottlenecks, it aims to restore public confidence in Curaçao’s justice system while ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors alike.
Miguel Goede
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