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Justice: more funds to fight crime

News item | 16-09-2003

In 2004, the Ministry of Justice is to be allocated an extra 95 million euro to fight crime. The money will be used to strengthen the entire criminal justice system from investigation through to prosecution and punishment.

This government will give high priority to improving public safety and fighting crime. The extra budget will rise from €95 million in 2004 to 283 million in 2007. The money will be earmarked for the implementation of the public safety programme presented to parliament in 2002.

Strengthening the criminal justice system
Agreements made with the police regions will result in more cases being referred to the Public Prosecution Service so that charges can be brought. In order to reduce the courts' workload, the Ministry of Justice will place greater emphasis on alternative forms of dispute settlement, such as mediation, arbitration and complaints committees. In addition, in 2004 the Minister of Justice Piet Hein Donner will table legislative proposals for the simplification of the criminal justice system.

Juvenile crime
In its approach to juvenile crime, the government will place greater emphasis on parental responsibility. Parenting support will be stepped up and the government will investigate the potential for forcing parents to contribute to the costs of HALT (out-of-court) sanctions and other punishments meted out to juveniles.

Asylum and integration
The Minister for Immigration and Integration Rita Verdonk has announced that the Netherlands is willing to contribute to the cost of a pilot project for the reception of asylum-seekers in their home regions. This will be done in consultation with the EU and the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

Stricter standards will be set for the integration of immigrants. Family formation and reunification will be subject to a minimum age limit of 21 plus an income requirement of 120% of the minimum wage. In addition, both established immigrants living on benefits and newcomers to the country will have to pay to attend a compulsory Dutch language and culture course. Those who pass the exam at the end of it will be able to recover a proportion of the cost.