On 15 August 2025, the Dutch government has published a draft bill to amend the Criminal Code (Wetboek van Strafrecht) introducing new offences related to the “glorification of terrorism” and public expressions of support for terrorist organisations. Specifically, the proposal would add:
- Article 132a Sr – criminalising public glorification of terrorist offences punishable by life imprisonment (maximum 3 years’ imprisonment or a third-category fine).
- Article 132b Sr – criminalising the distribution of images or writings that glorify such offences (maximum 2 years’ imprisonment or a third-category fine).
- Article 132c Sr – criminalising open expressions of support for terrorist organisations (maximum 3 years’ imprisonment or a third-category fine).
(Parallel provisions are proposed for the BES Criminal Code.)
In our response, Lawyers for Lawyers raises serious concerns about the proposal’s necessity, legality and proportionality, its potential chilling effect on freedom of expression, and the risks it poses to the work of lawyers, journalists, activists and other human rights defenders. We therefore urge the government to withdraw the draft bill.
Read our full submissions down below:
- Our submission: Lawyers for Lawyers response (NL)
- Joint submission Breed Mensenrechten Overleg: BMO response (NL)
