Lower House committee to consider terrorism bill on Thursday
Written consideration of the bill on glorification of terrorism has been moved to 15 October.
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The Lower House standing committee for Justice and Security will on Thursday consider written submissions on the bill that would make glorification of terrorism and public support for terrorist organisations criminal offences. The bill has therefore not yet been passed: a debate, vote and entry into force will follow only later.
The consideration was scheduled earlier, but according to the Lower House it has been moved to Thursday 15 October. MPs can then submit their questions and comments on the bill. The minister must respond before the House can schedule a plenary debate and vote.
Minister David van Weel submitted the bill on 25 June. It contains three new criminal offences. These concern publicly glorifying certain terrorist offences, distributing material that glorifies such offences, and openly expressing support for proscribed terrorist organisations.
The government cites flags, logos, clothing and social media posts as possible forms of expressing support. According to the explanatory memorandum, this does not mean that every symbol automatically becomes a criminal offence. The proposed provision links criminal liability to the way in which the expression contributes to supporting the aims of a terrorist organisation.
Under the amended bill, publicly glorifying the most serious terrorist offences and supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation would carry a maximum sentence of two years. Distributing material that glorifies a terrorist offence could result in up to one year in prison. The court must ultimately determine whether all the statutory conditions have been met.
The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (College voor de Rechten van de Mens) published a submission for the consideration in October. The substantive advisory letter attached to it is dated 26 August 2025. It warns that terms such as ‘glorification’ and ‘public support’ may not be sufficiently precise, meaning that the law could affect freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate.
The political core of the debate therefore lies at the boundary between security and freedom. Supporters see an additional criminal-law instrument and a clear standard against support for terrorism. Critics ask why existing criminal law is insufficient and fear that unclear rules could also affect peaceful, religious or political expression.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The committee will consider written submissions on bill 36971 on 15 October.
- According to the government, the bill would, subject to conditions, make public support for terrorist organisations among other things a criminal offence.
- The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights warns that the proposed key terms may not be sufficiently clear.
Left
Arguments The government must combat terrorism, but a broad and unclear criminal provision could affect demonstrations, religious expression and political criticism. Existing provisions against incitement and terrorism should first be shown to be inadequate before new criminal offences are introduced.
Values Freedom of expression, the right to demonstrate, legal certainty and protection against selective enforcement.
Consequences An overly broad law could lead to self-censorship and less room for peaceful protest; sharper delineation could at the same time preserve the fight against concrete threats.
Centre
Arguments There may be a legitimate need for a clearer boundary against glorifying terrorist violence, but the law must specify precisely what intention, context and contribution to support are required. The House must test the wording against fundamental rights and enforceability.
Values Security, proportionality, institutional diligence and predictability of the law.
Consequences An amended law could provide an additional instrument without automatically criminalising everyday political expression; unresolved vagueness could lead to proceedings and implementation problems.
Right
Arguments Public support for terrorist organisations and the glorification of attacks undermine security and must not be normalised. The government should be able to intervene earlier, including when expressions do not yet directly call for violence.
Values Public order, protection of citizens, societal resilience and a clear standard against terrorist propaganda.
Consequences Faster intervention could counter radicalisation and normalisation; too many exceptions or delays could, from this perspective, weaken the preventive effect of the law.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The procedural status and the main elements of the bill have been confirmed by the Lower House and the government. The human rights institute’s criticism is presented as that institute’s position, with the date of the attached advisory letter stated.
- confirmed Written submissions are scheduled for 15 October 2026. — Listed on the official case page of the Lower House. source
- confirmed The bill has not yet been passed and a vote remains outstanding. — The Lower House lists the debate and vote as unfinished steps. source
- confirmed The bill contains criminal offences covering glorification, distribution of material and public support for terrorist organisations. — Main points from the explanatory memorandum of the national government. source
- confirmed The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights says the key terms are insufficiently precise. — Conclusion in the attached advisory letter. source
- confirmed The institute’s advisory letter is dated 26 August 2025. — Date on page 1 of the PDF document. source
Editor's note
The Lower House’s schedule and the content of the bill can be verified. Van Weel’s precise political desire to move quickly has not been independently confirmed in an unrestricted primary source; the article therefore rests on the established procedural step.Sources
- Wetsvoorstel strafbaarstelling verheerlijken van terrorisme en openbare steunbetuiging — Tweede Kamer
- Het kabinet stuurt het wetsvoorstel dat terrorismeverheerlijking strafbaar stelt naar de Tweede Kamer — Rijksoverheid
- Inbreng advies wetsvoorstel strafbaarstelling verheerlijking terrorisme — College voor de Rechten van de Mens
- Advies over wetsvoorstel strafbaarstelling verheerlijking terrorisme — College voor de Rechten van de Mens
- Wetsvoorstel tegen verheerlijking van terrorisme naar de Tweede Kamer — NOS
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „terrorismeverheerlijking tweede kamer”
- NU.nl — „terrorismeverheerlijking tweede kamer”
- De Telegraaf — „terrorismeverheerlijking tweede kamer”