Membership of a terrorist organisation will lead to dual nationals automatically losing their Dutch nationality under new legislation from junior justice minister Fred Teeven.

At the moment, people can have heir Dutch nationality taken away from them if they voluntarily serve in an army which is engaged in military action against the Netherlands or one of its allies, such as Nato.

However, ‘changing attitudes in society about terrorist or paramilitary organisation and guerilla groups’ provide sufficient impetus for a change in the law, Teeven said.

Court

The sanction could only be applied if someone is found ‘irrevocably’ guilty in court.

Dutch nationality could also be withdrawn from people found ‘irrevocably guilty’ of helping to prepare a terrorist act by ‘providing information, knowledge and skills or making materials available.’

Such a person is acting so much against the essential interests of the state that there can no longer be a connection between him and the kingdom of the Netherlands, Teeven said.

The sanction will only be applied to dual nationals to make sure people do not end up stateless.