Amendment of the Provisions of the Dutch Penal Code Pertaining to the Exercise of Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. (22nd August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ryngaert, Cedric
• Is Part Of: Netherlands international law review. Volume 61:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 243
• Page End: 248
• Publication Date: 2014-08-22
• Subjects: International law -- Periodicals; Conflict of laws -- Periodicals; Comparative law -- Periodicals; 341.05
• DOI: 10.1017/S0165070X14001193
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-070X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="text-abstract"> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>By the Act of 27 November 2013, the Dutch Government has radically changed the provisions of its Penal Code pertaining to the exercise of extraterritorial jurisdiction (Arts. 4-8 Penal Code). The new rules take effect from July 1^st 2014 onwards. Most importantly, the Act widens the scope of the <italic>passive personality principle</italic>, generalizes the application of the <italic>domicile principle</italic>, which equates permanent residents with nationals for purposes of the application of the active personality principle, and establishes jurisdiction over foreigners present in the Netherlands who have committed a serious crime abroad if extradition proves impossible (<italic>aut dedere aut judicare</italic>), even if international law does not oblige the Netherlands to do so. In addition, the Act brings order to the Penal Code's hitherto rather chaotic jurisdictional provisions by, <italic>inter alia</italic>, grouping the jurisdictional mandates based on international legal instruments together in one provision, and limiting the number of jurisdictional grounds on which offences can be prosecuted.</p> </abstract>