Terrorist activities
punishable by law
~ Amendments to penal code approved ~
PHILIPSBURG--The Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles approved on Monday the amendments to the penal code concerning punishment for terrorist activities, funding of terrorism and money laundering.
The draft law is in accordance with the international Treaty of New York of December 1999 to combat the financing of terrorism and with the implementation of anti-terrorism recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force.
The amendment means that all participation in and financing of terrorist activities and organisations will become punishable up to 24 years or life in jail.
As was the case during the discussions in the Central Committee of late May, again several Members of Parliament had heavy criticism about the government’s urging Parliament to approve the amendments as soon as possible.
Minister of Finance Ersilia de Lannooy and Justice Minister David Dick said in April that the law amendments should be in place before the end of May, otherwise the Reporting Centre for Unusual Transactions would be suspended by international organisations.
It turned out on Monday that this would not be the case any more. De Lannooy and Dick said that the ultimatum of May 1 that had been given to the Netherlands Antilles was not on the table any longer.
“During a recent meeting in Chile, it was decided that if the Netherlands Antilles did not meet the May 1 target date, it would not be suspended, but the Antilles was encouraged to introduce the amendments as soon as possible.
Especially the political factions of Curaçao-based parties in Parliament queried why the Netherlands Antilles had to approve such a law amendment if, according to the baseline study “Crime and Upholding the Law in Curaçao and Bonaire,” there were no signs of terrorist activities taking place on the islands.
Dick said that even though the study did not take note of any terrorist activities on the islands, the law amendments were necessary. De Lannooy added that it was in the interest of the Antilles to keep up with international rules and regulations.
The Members of Parliament approved the law based on its importance for the financial sector.
