Ministerie van Justitie

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Counterterrorism

The Netherlands has put in place a wide range of measures for preventing terrorism. As a result, a number of different government organisations are involved. Responsibility for all measures does not lie with one minister, although there is a lead minister (the Minister of Justice), who ensures that all activities are coordinated. The Minister of Justice works closely with the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations on issues relating to counterterrorism.

Tackling radicalisation and recruitment

In order to combat terrorism, the government is tackling radicalisation and recruitment, which increase the risk of terrorist attacks. Both local and central government are taking measures to identify, prevent, isolate, intervene in and curb radicalisation and recruitment before it is too late. 

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) tries to prevent undesirable guest speakers from appearing in Dutch mosques, in part by monitoring the visa process. The Ministry of Finance notifies credit institutions if foundations are involved in terrorism or extremism.

Action under the criminal law

The government can act in many ways to combat terrorism. The most extreme form of action is under the criminal justice system: investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating on offences. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) instructs the police to trace and/or arrest suspected terrorists. Criminal law measures are only permitted if there are specific suspicions or indications of terrorist activity.

Intelligence and security services

To prevent terrorist attacks, information should lead to decisions and action as quickly as possible. The intelligence and security services play an important role here. They monitor individuals who are involved in terrorism and issue timely warnings. Information is gathered by the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD). The AIVD reports to the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and the MIVD to the Minister of Defence. Information that may be relevant to the investigation and prosecution of offences can be shared with the Public Prosecution Service.

Threat analyses

The NCTb uses the information it receives from the various intelligence services to prepare threat analyses. These are general in nature and do not concern specific individuals. The NCTb formulates its policies on the basis of these analyses.

CT Infobox

The Counterterrorism Information Box (CT Infobox) collates, compares and evaluates information on individuals who are involved in terrorism. It is a joint project of the AIVD, the MIVD, the National Police Services Agency, the IND, the investigation service of the Tax and Customs Administration (FIOD/ECD) and the Public Prosecution Service. 

After it has evaluated the relevant information, the CT Infobox considers what measures are possible at the level of the individual. These may include measures under criminal and/or aliens law as well as intervention. The CT Infobox then advises the participating services on what measures to take.

Preventing terrorism at the border

The IND, the Royal Marechaussee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the customs authorities are helping to combat terrorism by preventing terrorists from entering the Netherlands.

The NCTb’s tasks

However much the government does to discourage radicalisation and prevent attacks, an attack can never be ruled out. The task of the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism is to minimise the risk of terrorist attacks in the Netherlands. 

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