We are deeply concerned. The government wants to make it a criminal offence to ‘glorify terrorism’ or to openly express support for so-called terrorist organisations. But both legally and morally, the proposal is deeply flawed.
We warn that this law could be used to target activists, journalists, researchers and protesters. It will disproportionately affect people with a Muslim background, and it will make it harder to speak out publicly against injustice, precisely when such voices are most needed.
Where does terrorism begin – and who decides?
The bill leaves the term ‘terrorism’ vague and even more so the concept of a ‘terrorist organisation’. Does any group that uses violence automatically qualify? And does that also apply to states that deliberately use violence against civilians?
In practice, the label is often applied for political reasons. The European and UN lists of terrorist organisations (on which the Dutch government relies) are the product of diplomatic horse-trading. Groups are added or removed based on political interests, not facts. For example, some armed groups have been placed on terrorist lists and later removed, as in the case of the current rulers of HTS. Relationships with the US and Europe, and Western strategic interests, have often weighed more heavily than the group’s actual use of violence. Another example: the violence of Hamas is labelled terrorism, while Israeli violence against Palestinian civilians often is not.
Criminalising solidarity
The proposal would also make it a criminal offence to ‘glorify terrorist acts’. But what exactly does that mean? In other countries, we have seen this used to prosecute people for supporting a group’s aims, not necessarily its acts.
That means that if you, for example, publicly state that the occupation of Palestine must end (a demand entirely legitimate under international law) and an organisation labelled ‘terrorist’ happens to hold the same view, you could be prosecuted under this law for your statement.
Discrimination built in
The risk of arbitrary application is high. Violent groups from Western contexts are rarely given the ‘terrorist’ label. Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories or far-right militias in the US? They are often overlooked. Meanwhile, Muslim organisations or demonstrators in Europe are disproportionately criminalised.
This is no accident, it is systemic. And this law would make it worse.
The Netherlands must not follow this path
We have seen this before. In Turkey and Russia, similar laws are used to silence critics. Closer to home, laws against the ‘glorification of terrorism’ have been misused against pro-Palestinian and climate protesters in Germany and the UK.
It always starts with vague definitions and ends with the prosecution of people working for peace and justice.
Our call: scrap the bill
We work every day for peace. That also means protecting the space for protest, solidarity and political expression – especially when it is uncomfortable. Especially when it challenges those in power. These are values the Netherlands has long held dear.
We must not slide further into the extreme-right strategies embraced by this government. This proposal is unnecessary, unethical and dangerous. We call on the Dutch government to withdraw it.
