Ministerie van Justitie

Threat level remains limited

Press release | 18-06-2010

The national and international trends that have been recognised in the recent period remain in line with the conclusions in the previous threat assessment. The profile of the Netherlands continues to fit the image of enemy of international jihad. The fact that in view of this Dutch interests abroad are more vulnerable to the risk terrorist attacks also remains unchanged. This includes Dutch interests during the World Cup in South Africa. In addition, the threat against the Netherlands itself still mainly comes from transnational networks that could mainly manifest themselves via Dutch or European jihadists returning from training camps or areas of conflict. Because of these reasons the threat level against the Netherlands remains limited. Minister Hirsch Ballin (Justice and the Interior and Kingdom Relations) has concluded this in the Counterterrorism progress report which was sent to the parliament today.

The situation concerning the possible threat against the World Cup Football in South Africa is closely monitored by the Dutch government. Extensive security measures have been implemented in close consultation between the Dutch and South African authorities. This will allow supporters of the Dutch national team to enjoy the World Cup as safely as possible and the Dutch national team to prepare for games safely and without being disturbed.

Combating violent radicalisation
The progress report also devotes explicit attention to the subject of combating internet terrorism. The internet is now a constant factor for recruiting, plotting and planning attacks, while previously this was mostly done on the basis of personal contacts established in training camps. The international dimension of conspiracies combined with the the use of internet makes the task of discovering potential terrorist threats a difficult one. That is why there is close national and international cooperation between counterterrorism organisations in this field as well.

In the coming period The Netherlands, for example, will take the lead in the Illegal use of the Internet project. The public private partnership in the fight against terrorism on the internet will be shaped at the European level in close cooperation with the European Commission and partner countries such as Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom. The Netherlands is a frontrunner in the way it deals with terrorism on the internet where it concerns self-regulation. The Notice-and Take-Down code of conduct, which was drawn up in 2008, is internationally recognised as a best practice in the field of self-regulation and the way with which to deal with illegal content on the Internet. The NCTb is also actively involved, at the UN level, in the promotion of best practices in the field of public private partnerships in the fight against the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes.

Counterterrorism Progress Report
The report is published every six months and sets out the progress of the development and implementation of counterterrorism policy, such as countering radicalisation, international cooperation, creating decisive instruments and organisation, human rights and implementing security measures. This is the twelfth time the progress report is published.

More information

• 12th progress reportdossier page | 18-06-2010 | pdf-document, 76 KBTwelfth anti-terrorism progress report including the Terrorist Threat Assessment Netherlands (DTN).