Also in the Lower House lives about a bill that must make the glorification of terrorism punishable. While the draft law is still being worked on, Minister David van Weel is already trying to remove worry about possible political persecution.
Not often a bill received so many reactions as the plan with which the outgoing cabinet wants to make the glorification of terrorism punishable. The counter stood at the end of the so -called consultation period, in which citizens and organizations, among other things, can give their opinion on a draft law, on more than 11,500 responses.
With that law, the government wants to put “Paal and Perk” to “openly glorify terrorist violence and the public support of terrorist organizations”. As an example, the cabinet points to sharing a video of an attack with “praising comments”.
But several opposition parties fear that the law will continue. Those worries can be seen in those 11,500 responses that the bill received this summer.
For example, the Dutch peace organization PAX said to fear that the law “opens the door for political persecution”. Because what terrorism is exactly remains vague in the law, says Pax. According to the organization, that makes it possible to prosecute people for political reasons. Consider, for example, people who protest against the situation in Gaza.
The Council for the Judiciary also pointed out that uncertainty. Based on the law that is now on, the show of “a flag, message or image, even if that does not stand up, insult or encourage hatred, already be explained as a statement of support”.
Law has ‘false start’
“What is now intended as a law against terrorism can be misused in the future to silence critical voices or organizations,” SP MP Michiel van Nispen summarized the worries.
GroenLinks-PvdA and D66 even had so many objections to the plan that they would rather not see the law being treated at all. The start is so false that D66 MP Joost finds it more unwise “to continue the process”.
That led to annoyance among, among others, former coalitionmates VVD and NSC. NSC member Jesse Six Dijkstra understands the concerns that live, but, like VVD, pointed out that the discussion about the law still has to be conducted.
The law was discussed on Wednesday during a periodic debate on extremism and terrorism. The law itself may be adjusted after the consultation and will only end up in the room.
VVD MP Ingrid Michon-Derkzen therefore called on her roommates to wait what the cabinet comes with. That seems to just happen for the time being.
Outgoing Minister Van Weel (Justice and Security) already tried to appease the concerns by pointing out that the government is following a “good and careful law process”. The reactions that came in during the consultation period are also included in that process.
Van Weel did understand the worries. He called it the task of his cabinet to explain how far the law goes. The minister already gave a front for this on Wednesday.
“The goal is to make open support and glorifying of serious terrorist crimes,” said Van Weel. “Does it mean that you are no longer allowed to wave a Palestinian flag? No. Does it mean that you are no longer allowed to eat melon? No. Does it mean that you are not allowed to express support on the Palestinian state?
The consultation period of the law has just ended. It is not known when the room will deal with the (possibly adjusted version of) the law.
Concerns also exist in the house of representatives about a bill that would criminalize the glorification of terrorism. While the Draft Law is Still Being Worked On, Minister David Van Weel is Tryping to Allay Conerns about Possible Political Persecution.
Rarely Has a Bill Received So Many Reactions As the Plan By What the Outgoing Cabinet Wants To Criminalize The Glorification of Terrorism. At the end of the so-called consultation period, in which Citizens and Organizations can give give their opinion on a Draft Law, the Counter Stood at More Than 11,500 Responses.
With this law, the Government Wants to Put a Stop to the “Public Glorification of Terrorist Violence and the Public Support of Terrorist Organizations.” As an Example, The Cabinet Points to Sharing A Video or An Attack With “Praising Comments.”
But Several Opposition Parties Fear that the Law Goes Further. These Conerns are reflected in the 11,500 response that the Bill Received this Summer.
For Example, The Dutch Peace Organization Pax Said It Feared that the Law “OpenS the by To Political Persecution.” Because what exactly constitutes terrorism remains vague in the law, says pax. Accordance to the Organization, This Makes It Possible to Prosecute People for Political Reasons. For Example, People who Protest Against the Situation in Gaza.
The Council for the Judiciary also pointed to this Ambiguity. On the Basis of the Current Law, Showing “A Flag, Message or image, Even if it does not incite, Insult or Incite Hatred, Could already be interpreted as a show of support.”
Law Has ‘False Start’
“What is now intended as a law against terrorism could be misused in the future to silence critical voices or organizations,” SP Member of Parliament Michiel van Nispen SummariZed The Conerns.
GroenLinks-Pvda and D66 Even had so many objections to the plan that they would rather not see the law deal with at all. The start is so false that d66 mp joost faster Thinks it is unwise “to continuous the process.”
This LED to Annoyance Among Former Coalition Partners VVD and NSC, Among Others. NSC Member Jesse Six Dijkstra Understands The Concerns, But, Like VVD, Pointed Out That The Discussion About The Law Still Needs to Be Held.
The Law was discussed on Wednesday. The law itself may be amended after the consultation and will then be submitted to the house.
VVD MP Ingrid Michon-Derkzen Therefore Called on Her Fellow MPS to Wait and see what the Cabinet Comes Up With. That seems to be what will happen for the time being.
Outgoing Minister Van Weel (Justice and Security) Has Already Tried to Allay the Concerns by Pointing Out That The Cabinet is Following A “Good and CareFul Legislative Process.” The Responses Received Duration the Consultation Period are also Tasks into account in That Process.
Van Weel Understood The Concerns. He said it was the task of his cabinet to explainly how far the law goes. The Minister Already Gave a Foretaste of this on Wednesday.
“The Aim is to criminalize the public support and glorification of serious terrorist crimes,” Said van Weel. “Does it mean that you are no longer allowed to wave a palestinian flag? No. does it mean that you are no longer allowed to eat a melon?
The Consultation Period For The Law Has Just Ended. It is not Known When the House Will Consider the (Possible Amended Version of the Law.