Netherlands stops all prisoner extraditions to Belgium

The Netherlands has suspended the execution of all extradition requests from Belgium, following a damning report from the Council of Europe that criticised conditions in Belgian prisons. The decision was taken by the International Legal Aid court in Amsterdam, which makes decisions regarding international co-operation between states on matters of criminal law.

An investigating magistrate in Antwerp had requested the extradition of eight suspects being held in the Netherlands involved in a case of drugs smuggling through the port of Antwerp. The Dutch court declined the request until more clarity could be provided on prison conditions in Belgium.

Last month the Council of Europe’s anti-torture committee published a report criticising “inhuman” conditions in Belgium’s aging jails. It noted in particular “humiliating” conditions during strikes by prison officers last year in Wallonia, when there was not enough staff to run the institutions properly.

The Dutch government has asked its Belgian counterparts for more information on the situation. The court, meanwhile, said it had also been influenced by reports in Belgian media about systematic overcrowding in prisons.

A spokesperson for the federal justice minister said that the government has “taken note” of the Netherlands’ decision, and promised the ministry would fully co-operate with the enquiries of the Dutch court. Measures have already been taken, the ministry said, to improve the situation in Belgium, including talks with prison officer unions on guaranteed service in cases of industrial action, approval of a new prison in Brussels, and new psychiatric centres to house and treat mentally ill prisoners.

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