Terrorists lose dual nationality

Today, a bill is being put to the vote that would allow the Belgian authorities to strip convicted terrorists with dual nationality of their Belgian citizenship. With this proposal, Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden (cd&v) adopts a key element from an earlier bill introduced by MP Jeroen Bergers.

“This puts an end to the idea that nationality is an acquired right, regardless of someone’s behaviour. Anyone who abuses our hospitality, who chooses violence and engages in terrorism, forfeits the trust of our society — and therefore definitively loses their place within it,” says Jeroen Bergers.

Linking loss of nationality to residence rights

At the same time, the N-VA believes the bill should go further. According to Jeroen Bergers, not only serious crimes such as attacks against civil peace, genocide and membership of criminal or armed organisations should be covered, but also human trafficking and sexual offences. In his own bill, he also argues that the withdrawal of nationality should be linked to residence rights. “That way, we can actually remove these criminals from our territory,” Bergers says.

MP Koen Metsu, who already advocated this approach during the previous parliamentary term, underlines its importance: “Terrorists who undermine our society should not expect to enjoy the privilege of Belgian nationality. They no longer belong here. This is a logical and necessary step to protect our citizens.”

“This bill is a step in the right direction, but it is not the end of the road,” Jeroen Bergers concludes. “The reality on the ground shows every day that we need to act faster and more decisively. The N-VA will continue to push for a robust and coherent security policy, with due attention to the enforcement of sentences, residence rights and the protection of society.”