This bill is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It presents itself as protection against terror, but in reality it erodes our democracy, undermines civil rights, and plants a bomb under freedom of expression

Under the guise of security, the government is preparing to push through a new law that, in reality, undermines our democracy. The bill on “criminalising the glorification of terrorism and public support for terrorist organisations” may sound harmless. 

After all, who wants to glorify terrorism? But in practice it throws the door wide open to political censorship, ethnic profiling, and silencing of critical voices. If we do not resist now, then tomorrow any activist, journalist, or citizen who says “the wrong thing” could be next.

I oppose any form of violence against civilians. I condemn terrorism in all its forms and work for a peaceful, just society. But this bill to criminalise “glorification of terrorism and public support for terrorist organisations” is not a protection of our democracy. It is a threat to its very foundations.

A dangerously vague weapon in the hands of the state

The core concepts of “glorification” and “public support” are formulated so broadly that almost any political or social expression could fall under them. Today it might be used against alleged “sympathisers of terrorism,” tomorrow against climate activists, peace demonstrators, or journalists who show the “wrong” side of a conflict. With such open-ended norms, the state gets a blank cheque to silence critical voices.

The Netherlands already has laws against incitement, hate speech, discrimination, and support for banned organisations. This new law adds nothing substantive, except scope for arbitrariness and abuse. Minorities – especially Muslims and migrants – will be disproportionately affected. Cultural symbols, political flags, and even acts of solidarity could suddenly be labelled as “support for terrorism.” This normalises ethnic and political profiling.

Freedom of expression is not a prop you display in peacetime and put away in times of crisis. It is the backbone of our democracy.

This law makes it possible to criminalise opinions – no matter how controversial or unpopular – without them involving any call to actual violence. That is nothing less than censorship.

You do not fight terrorism by banning opinions, but by removing the breeding grounds for radicalisation: inequality, racism, war, and political exclusion.

Invest in education, social justice, diplomacy, and a peaceful foreign policy. These are the real weapons against extremism.

This bill is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It presents itself as protection against terror, but in reality it erodes our democracy, undermines civil rights, and plants a bomb under freedom of expression.

I therefore say no to laws that give the state more power to criminalise critical voices, and yes to solutions that truly strengthen safety, democracy, and freedom.

Take action, make your voice heard

The bill is now open for public consultation. This is the moment to make it clear that we will not accept laws that restrict our freedom of expression and erode our democratic rights.

Submit your response via the official consultation page, here.

Be clear. Be loud. Be in solidarity.

Carpe DiEM

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