Fast-track anti-terror laws: Justice Minister

Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten has urged haste in the Parliament’s debates on new proposals on how to deal with jihadism and extremism.

Opstelten, who was a guest Sunday evening in the TV program Nieuwsuur, said that he “would want to expect that it (placing the debates on the proposals on the Second Chamber's agenda) shifts to higher gear."

The Second Chamber is already in possession of a host of proposals that were presented by the Cabinet in the summer; they have not been placed on the agenda yet and Opstelten wants this to happen the soonest.

He said another proposal has also been presented for advice at several Government departments, as is customary when new legislation is considered. It regards the option to revoke Dutch citizenship from people who join a terrorist organization. The Cabinet is putting together a list of these types of organizations, said Opstelten, who also expressed hopes that these department give their advice soon, to this proposal can also be placed on the Chamber’s agenda.