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The new Penal Code that went into effect June 1 (see related story) contains some important matters of which the general public should be aware. For one thing, the sale and serving of alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of 18 is now officially prohibited, with a maximum penalty of six months in prison or a NAf. 7,500 fine.
However, the National Licence Ordinance still has 16 as the minimum drinking age, a discrepancy the local Lions Club recently requested that Parliament eliminate. The organisation even presented figures showing that between January and October 2014 there had been 50 traffic accidents credited to motorists driving under the influence, nearly 25 per cent of which involved youngsters.
Democratic Party leader Sarah Wescot-Williams stated at the time that bringing the ordinance in line with the code could be done rather quickly. That was early April, so hopefully it doesn’t have to take very much longer.
In the meantime, proprietors of bars, restaurants and liquor stores need to keep in mind that no matter what it says in their permit, the stipulations of the Penal Code are already in force and violations could cost them dearly. Teenagers younger than 18 who nevertheless choose to consume alcohol must take into account that not only they themselves, but also their parents or guardians conceivably can be held responsible.
People against the death penalty also will be happy to know that capital punishment now has been formally abolished even though it wasn’t being applied throughout the Dutch Kingdom anyway. A life sentence is still possible, but only with a mandatory court review after 25 years for humanitarian considerations.
Animal lovers have their own reason to celebrate, as cockfights and similar activities with other species are forbidden without a permit from the Justice Minister. As there is no legal framework or procedure for such, they simply aren’t allowed.
