Estonian and Dutch criminal policymakers discuss the future of Estonian law enforcement

28. June 05

Tomorrow, on June 29, there will be a seminar on criminal policy in the Conference Centre of the Laulasmaa Hotel held jointly by the Ministries of Justice of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Estonia and Holland, which focuses on the current and future challenges in shaping the Estonian criminal policy and introducing the problems and developments of the law enforcement system in Europe.

The two-day seminar, which begins at 9, will be opened by Mr. Rein Lang. the Minister of Justice, and Ms. Joanna van Vlient, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Netherlands. Presentations will be made by Mr. Max Kommer, the Coordinator of the Strategic Developments Department of the Dutch Ministry of Justice, and Mr. Peter Tak, the Advisor of the Dutch Ministry of Justice on comparative criminal proceedings.

The seminar will touch upon the current situation of law enforcement in Estonia and in Europe: the problems and the possibilities of combating crime both in the framework of the law enforcement system as well as outside it. Relying on Dutch experience the development of the law enforcement system and possible priorities in Estonia will be discussed.

The changes in national law enforcement systems related to Europeanisation will be discussed as well.

"As the Minister of Justice I consider it very important that the Ministers of the Interior, Finance and Justice, the Police Board and the Prosecutor's Office closely communicate with each other and act collectively, because only jointly can we achieve results in reducing crime. It is just as important to involve researchers in the practical discussion on the criminal policy and in areas where it is possible to mould the policy on the basis of the research results," said Mr. Rein Lang, the Minister of Justice. "It is not accidental that the Ministry of Justice has chosen its Dutch colleagues to organise this event.

In Holland the state has been developing the criminal policy for decades. Among other things they have extensive experience in using criminological research in policymaking and in how the decisions made in the legal system reflect in the public opinion."

In addition to the Ministry of Justice the event is attended by several police chiefs, the Public Prosecutor, circuit prosecutors, representatives of the Supreme Court, researchers, representatives of the Tax and Customs Board, the State Audit Office and the Ministries of Interior and Justice.

 

Kristi Künnapas
Public Relations Division
Ministry of Justice
Phone 6 208 118
Mobile phone 56 215672