In the Netherlands, a lot of knowledge and experience lost in the field of counterterrorism in a short time.
When the terror threat was reduced apparently, are critical networks and capacity crumbled. This note researchers at the University of Utrecht, which evaluated the counterterrorism strategy 2011-2015. Today, their report sent to parliament.
The interest in terrorism subsided, both have fallen at national and local level, following the completion of the Action Plan on Polarisation and Radicalisation in 2011. The threat level was several years (since 2009) on 'restricted' and also internationally it seemed terrorist threat .Even in the Middle East flourished hope because of the 'Arab Spring'. Policymakers had other things on their minds: to combat the economic crisis, the introduction of a series of cuts and reorganizations, such as the National Police.
Netherlands has always been based on the 'comprehensive approach' with both repressive and preventive measures. There are many parties involved, (international) intelligence services, the police and the Public Prosecution Service (OM), a series of social partners.Especially the latter category has been neglected after 2011, the researchers note.
Not a member ministries
For example, were the Ministries of Education and Social Affairs, a member of the Joint Counter-Terrorism Committee, where national partners to coordinate their policies. They had no specific role more and invested hardly in counterterrorism.
That changed in 2013, after the first wave of Dutch fighters to Syria had departed and the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) the threat level back way right up to 'substantial'. Since then, again training programs from the ground up, and national and local consultative revived.
That has proved not so simple. Organizations that explained the connection between the government and immigrant communities, such as the platform Forum and the National Minorities (LOM) were dismantled. Many municipalities had slacken their ties with networks of community and Islamic organizations. When striking new bridges to vulnerable groups officials encounter often distrust or disinterest.
By Editorial Volkskrant: Janny Groen Photo: Reuters
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