Should the glorification of terrorism be made a criminal offence?
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Dutch politicians are seeking new ways to tackle radicalisation and, like other European countries, have proposed legislation that would criminalise the glorification of terrorism. Marloes van Noorloos, Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, voices her concerns on ‘Nieuwsuur’.
Last year, activists from Palestine Action breached security at a Royal Air Force base in the United Kingdom. The group has since been designated a terrorist organisation under UK law. The Terrorism Act prohibits the public expression of support for terrorist organisations. Similar legislation has been introduced in other European countries in recent months. The Netherlands, too, is preparing to introduce similar legislation. A bill seeking to criminalise the glorification of terrorism will soon be debated in the Dutch House of Representatives.
‘When you see that motions have already been passed here to designate Antifa, or even Extinction Rebellion, as terrorist organisations, I find that concerning,’ says Van Noorloos. ‘Would it mean that people could no longer publicly express anti-fascist views? I fear that, before long, authorities at demonstrations will no longer know what is and is not permitted. Even experts struggle to draw those lines.’
This is not the first time such a proposal has been put forward. The CDA party made unsuccessful attempts to introduce similar legislation in 2004, 2015 and 2017. According to Van Noorloos, the renewed interest in the issue stems largely from concerns about online radicalisation. Broader societal tensions and unrest also play a role. ‘In the period immediately following 7 October 2023, the proposed law began to feature much more prominently in political debates. There was political pressure to take a tougher line against demonstrators from the Palestinian solidarity movement. I find that very worrying.’
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Read the full article on Nieuwsuur (in Dutch)