News item | 5/17/2023 | 10:15
In 2022, the Ministry of Justice and Security invested heavily in tackling organized crime. For example, more municipalities receive structural money to prevent small boys from growing into major criminals. The number of municipalities participating in the so-called Prevention with Authority program has been expanded from 15 to 19 for districts and neighborhoods where young people run the greatest risk of being recruited by criminals.
In addition, the surveillance and security system has been strengthened to protect our guardians of the rule of law, such as judges, police officers, prosecutors, lawyers, journalists and mayors. The government has also earmarked 155 million euros structurally for the judiciary in order to attract more judges and other personnel, among other things. That money will be used for shorter processing times and reducing the workload among judges. The money is also used for initiatives to bring the law closer to people, such as district justice.
International cooperation has also been stepped up in the fight against organized crime and nearly €30 million has been made available for additional measures against drug smuggling through our major logistics hubs, such as the seaport of Rotterdam. After all, international drug crime never sleeps, continuously shifts smuggling routes between seaports and threatens our society and democratic constitutional state with intimidation and violence.
Asylum reception was under great pressure in 2022 due to the high influx of asylum seekers and developments such as a housing shortage in the Netherlands. In addition, about 90,000 people came to the Netherlands who fled the war in Ukraine. A lot of hard work has been done by various parties to be able to offer shelter to everyone.
Whoever asks for our protection, but abuses our hospitality, deserves a tough approach. That is why the cabinet is committed to an approach to prevent nuisance from occurring and to take a firm stance if it does occur. 45 million has been earmarked for the intensified approach to nuisance and promoting the return of asylum seekers who are not allowed to stay here. Migration cooperation has been strengthened with countries from and through which asylum seekers come to the Netherlands, and efforts have been made at European level to strengthen our external borders, among other things.