AGT, DRIES (ANDREAS ANTONIUS MARIA) VAN

(1931– ). Politician. After studying law at the Catholic University of Nijmegen (now Radboud University), van Agt worked as a solicitor in the Ministry of Justice. In 1968, he was appointed professor of criminal law at the University of Nijmegen. He later became president of the scientific department of the Katholieke Volkspartij (KVP, Catholic People’s Party). Van Agt became minister of justice in 1971; during this period, issues had to be resolved regarding abortion legislation and the release of German war criminals. As leader of the new religious party Christen Democratisch Appel (CDA), van Agt served as prime minister in three cabinets from 1977 to 1982. He subsequently functioned as ambassador of the European Union (EU)to Japan (1987) and the United States (1990). Since 1995, he has been a member of several councils and committees, for example, as president of the advisory body of the International Forum for Justice and Peace, which works for the cause of the Palestinians. He is also visiting professor of the University of Kyoto in Japan.