Nearly 7,000 public responses to proposed law criminalizing "glorification of terrorism"

A bill criminalizing “glorifying terrorism” received at least 6,800 public responses so far. That is an exceptional number for an internet consultation and the highest number of responses so far this year. Civil society organizations are urging people on social media to respond to the proposal.

The caretaker government wants to criminalize “glorifying terrorism and publicly expressing support for terrorist organizations” with a prison sentence of up to three years.

PAX for Peace, The Rights Forum, and Plant an Olive Tree, among others, fear that the law will allow the authorities to prosecute activists for political reasons. These organizations are campaigning against Israeli violence and Gaza and can imagine public support for Palestine being construed into support for Hamas.

The bill is “too vague,” according to the organizations. “Terms are insufficiently defined,” The Rights Forum wrote. “There is a risk of arbitrariness.” The organization explicitly states its fear that “expressions of solidarity with Palestinian resistance movements” will be criminalized.

Many of the comments on the bill express concerns about freedom of speech and the right to demonstrate. Several find the definition of what constitutes “terrorism” and “glorification” too vague. They fear that this could have political consequences. “It’s ridiculous if it becomes a crime to demonstrate in solidarity with suffering civilians in Gaza because the terrorist organization Hamas shares interests,” said one comment. Many of the comments are anonymous.

In July, the British government declared a pro-Palestinian activist group a terrorist organization after several activists spray-painted aircraft at a British airbase. People who belong to the group or support it could face up to 14 years in prison. Last weekend, hundreds of people were arrested demonstrating against the ban on the activist group.

An online consultation allows citizens to comment on new laws and regulations before they are submitted to the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament. Most proposals only receive a handful of public comments. Only two plans received more than 5,000 responses this year, one on animal welfare and one on air passenger tax.