Embedding in policy

The guide is based on practical experience and the following national strategies.

The Security Strategy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands 2023 - 2029

Our national security is vulnerable to a multitude of threats and we therefore need an integrated approach that is robust and flexible. On the one hand, the Security Strategy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands describes the national security interests we want to protect and, on the other, the main developments in terms of threats to national security. This strategy also describes the direction we need to take in order to protect the Kingdom from threats that could affect national security. Coping with these risks requires a government-wide and society-wide approach. The strategy also specifically addresses priorities when preventing and combating terrorism and extremism.

National Counterterrorism Strategy 2022 - 2026

The National Counterterrorism Strategy describes the commitment for the years 2022-2026. The aim is to protect national security and the democratic legal order against the threat of violent extremism and terrorism. For the most part this means continuing in the direction we have chosen, although additional attention needs to be paid to the threat posed by individuals who are not only driven by extremist ideology but are also experiencing psychosocial problems. This requires good cooperation between the security, social and care domains. In addition to this, the increasingly important role played by the online domain requires innovative (technological) solutions to identify, detect and combat the spread of violent extremist and terrorist content. Special attention will also be given to measures designed to ensure the safe reintegration of individuals after detention. The implementation of these safe reintegration measures will start while individuals are still in detention.

Extremism strategy 2024 - 2029

Extremism is not always visible and it does not always have to involve law-breaking or violence. In fact, many forms of extremism insidiously attack our rule of law and the way we coexist, which requires a different approach from the more repressive one adopted for counterterrorism. On the other hand, extremism should also not be confused with democratic activism or healthy criticism of the government. Freedom of expression is a valuable asset and fundamental rights and freedoms are therefore firmly enshrined in this strategy. The Extremism Strategy combines these different perspectives and provides frameworks for a broad approach. The focus is therefore on protecting the rule of law and promoting the resilience of society, in addition to fighting the excesses of extremism.

The aim of the strategy is to provide frameworks to enhance the resilience of the democratic legal order against extremism.