Dutch government proposes bill primarily aimed at suppressing opposition to its complicity in the genocide: ELSC sends objection and encourages anti-genocide voices to continue to speak out
The Dutch government has proposed a new bill primarily aimed at suppressing opposition to its complicity in the genocide in Gaza. The law proposal, submitted by the (outgoing) cabinet, would criminalise the so-called “glorification of terrorism” and “public support for terrorist organisations”. The bill deliberately lacks clear definitions of what would constitute a punishable offence, allowing it to be used to prosecute people who oppose government policy. Given the government’s unconditional support for the Israeli genocide in Gaza, even symbolic expressions of solidarity such as a watermelon could potentially be prosecuted as “glorification of terrorism” under this vague law.
Instead of ending its complicity to the genocide in Gaza, the Dutch government has chosen to double down on its vain attempt to crush resistance against its role in facilitating the Israeli genocide and occupation, crimes for which the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) and nine other Palestinian and Dutch organisations will be facing the Dutch government in court on 3 September.
As part of the public consultation period, during which citizens and organisations can respond to a law proposal, the ELSC has submitted an objection to the bill. You can find the objection here (in Dutch). The bill has now been sent to the Council of State (Raad van State), which will provide the government with non-binding advice on the law proposal. After this, first the House of Representatives and then the Senate are yet to vote on the bill.
Europe’s colonial legacy continues
ELSC’s report “Europe’s Proscription of Palestine Solidarity”, published last week, shows that the label “terrorism” has become a key tool in the repression of Palestine solidarity in Europe, reflecting the same repressive strategies these nations have historically deployed to maintain colonial control. In the 1940s, the Netherlands called the struggle of Indonesian independence fighters against colonial occupation “terrorism”; now the ever-colonial Dutch government wants to apply that label to anyone expressing solidarity with Palestine.
Keep speaking out
However, no matter what repressive legislation the government proposes, no authority can silence the collective voice of the people demanding justice and Palestinian liberation and self-determination. This includes supporting the Palestinian people’s right to armed resistance against colonial occupation, as enshrined in international law. The ELSC encourages every anti-genocide person to keep speaking out and to keep demanding justice.
Report any incidents of anti-Palestinian repression and request support if needed via this form.
Please read our objection here.
