UAE and Netherlands Bolster Judicial Ties to Combat Crime

Post by : Mara Rahim

In a significant meeting held in The Hague, Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, the UAE Minister of Justice, conferred with Foort van Oosten, the Minister of Justice and Security of the Netherlands. The discussions centered around fortifying bilateral judicial collaboration, particularly in the realms of transnational organized crime, money laundering, and offenses requiring robust global coordination.

Both officials emphasized their shared commitment to law, international justice, and transparency. They acknowledged that the rise of cross-border crime continues to pose significant risks to global security and stability. Thus, effective judicial cooperation and mutual legal assistance have become imperative to address these threats and preserve both regional and international peace.

This dialogue marked a pivotal step in enhancing legal partnerships between the UAE and the Netherlands. Minister Al Nuaimi underscored the UAE’s dedication to fostering judicial alliances not only with the Netherlands but also within the broader European landscape. He stressed the need for joint efforts to tackle organized and financial crimes, particularly regarding the illicit transactions involving virtual assets, while also focusing on the swift identification, freezing, and recovery of criminal proceeds.

Al Nuaimi pointed out the UAE's pioneering advancements in digital transformation within judicial services, expressing willingness to share these innovations with the Netherlands to improve transparency, efficiency, and creativity. Both parties agreed that harnessing digital technology could optimize case management, enhance communication, and streamline judicial processes, leading to quicker and more reliable delivery of justice.

Minister van Oosten complimented the UAE's role in advancing global judicial collaboration and acknowledged notable strides made through the Bilateral Treaties on Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance, which came into effect in August 2023. Since then, the UAE fulfilled 11 extradition requests, with six more awaiting court decisions and 17 investigations underway. Notably, 10 extraditions were successfully carried out in 2025 alone, reflecting substantial operational trust between their respective ministries.

Both ministers deliberated on the critical importance of asset tracing, freezing, and confiscation in dismantling transnational organized crime networks. They vowed to improve coordination, exchange best practices in financial investigations, and enhance regulations on virtual assets to disrupt criminal activities more effectively.

The implementation of direct communication links between their ministries will further expedite cooperation and shorten case-processing timelines. They highlighted the significance of sharing knowledge, training, and capacity-building initiatives for judicial and prosecutorial bodies. The discussion also acknowledged the role of the Dutch Liaison Prosecutor based in Abu Dhabi and ongoing collaboration with Eurojust for enhanced practical coordination.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing their partnership and reinforcing legal frameworks and institutional connections. They pledged to sustain efforts in combating cross-border crime while safeguarding justice and security for both nations, with future discussions planned for Abu Dhabi.