News item | 22-02-2022 | 23:44
Combating and preventing terrorism and terrorist violence is essential for the protection of our national security. There are still people in the Netherlands who could pose a threat to our national security. It must be possible to impose measures to prevent someone from joining a terrorist organization or committing terrorist violence. The government also wants to prevent travelers from returning to the Netherlands by withdrawing their Dutch nationality where possible.
“Travellers in Syria and Iraq have joined a struggle aimed at destroying everything we stand for. Return to the Netherlands should be avoided where possible. Returning travelers deserve stiff penalties. If they still pose a threat to national security after detention, the government should be able to act by, for example, imposing an area ban or reporting obligation,” said Minister of Justice and Security Yeşilgöz-Zegerius.
“Dutch citizenship stands for freedom, equality and the democratic constitutional state. If someone consciously chooses to join a terrorist organization, it must be prevented that they return to the Netherlands. That can be done by revoking Dutch citizenship,” says State Secretary for Justice and Security Van der Burg.
Two important laws governing these powers have been extended for a period of five years following the approval of the Senate and House of Representatives: the Withdrawal of Dutch Nationality in the Interest of National Security Act and the Temporary Act on Administrative Measures to Combat Terrorism (Twbmt).
With the power to revoke Dutch nationality, the State Secretary for Justice and Security, in consultation with the Minister of Justice and Security, can revoke the Dutch nationality of travelers who have joined a terrorist organization without prior criminal conviction. When returning to the Netherlands, these travelers can pose a direct threat to national security. The possibility of withdrawal of nationality is limited to persons with dual nationality. After revocation of Dutch citizenship, the traveler is also declared an undesirable alien. This makes it impossible for the traveler to legally return to the Netherlands and the other Schengen area.
On the basis of the Tbwmt, the Minister of Justice and Security can, for example, impose an area ban, reporting obligation or travel ban on a person if this is necessary for the protection of national security. Such measures can prevent or make it more difficult for someone to join a terrorist organization or engage in terrorist activities.