News item | 24-03-2023 | 13:45
The bill to increase the maximum prison sentence for participation in a terrorist organization from 15 to 20 years will be sent to the Council of State for advice. The Council of Ministers has agreed to this on the proposal of Minister Yesilgöz-Zegerius of Justice and Security. The bill arises from the Coalition Agreement.
Minister Yesilgöz-Zegerius of Justice and Security: “Terrorist organizations are capable of horrible things. People who knowingly join them share responsibility for the heinous crimes that the organizations commit and keep those organizations alive. The increase of the maximum sentence to 20 years sends an important signal.”
The statutory maximum penalty must provide scope for imposing an appropriate penalty in the most serious cases. The maximum sentence of 15 years, introduced in 2004, is no longer in keeping with the developments that have taken place over the past twenty years, according to the cabinet. With the increased maximum sentence, more justice can be done to the seriousness of the gruesome crimes committed by terrorist organizations and the responsibility that participants bear for them.
Digitization and globalization
Terrorist organizations have developed strongly in nature, size and propaganda dissemination. Through the use of social media, organizations can reach potential participants across many national borders. Intolerant ideas, ideologies and calls for violence spread in the blink of an eye. Digitization and globalization are used by terrorist organizations to recruit supporters and strengthen mutual solidarity.
Role participants
Participants have a very important role in maintaining terrorist organizations and increasing the threat posed by those organizations. By joining a terrorist organization, the participants strengthen this organization. The organization is gaining strength and is becoming (even) more threatening. Moreover, more participants enable an organization to (further) professionalise. That makes the organization more resilient. Participants are the core of the terrorist organization and this participation should not only be discouraged but also vigorously opposed.
The next step after the Council of State has issued its advice is to submit the bill to the House of Representatives.