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Do we simply leave civilians to suffer if a terrorist group causing carnage in their community makes it illegal for aid workers to cross into a 'designated zone' to deliver help? (Photo: Albert Gonzalez Farran / UNAMID)

New Dutch terror bill must not target aid workers

A controversial counterterrorism bill could end up criminalising aid workers in the Netherlands if they enter conflict hotspots when assisting the world's most vulnerable people.

In an effort to ensure that foreign fighters can be prosecuted on their return to the Netherlands, a draft bill by the ministry of justice and security will make it an offence to be present in a 'terrorist area' without permission.

The Netherlands already has legislation in place that makes it a crime t...

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Disclaimer

The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author’s, not those of EUobserver

Author Bio

Jan Egeland is secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

Do we simply leave civilians to suffer if a terrorist group causing carnage in their community makes it illegal for aid workers to cross into a 'designated zone' to deliver help? (Photo: Albert Gonzalez Farran / UNAMID)

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Author Bio

Jan Egeland is secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

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