NCJ Number
79293
Journal
Tijdschrift voor de politie Volume: 41 Issue: 5 Dated: (1979) Pages: 251-255,257-259,261-265
Date Published
1979
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Five topics related to terrorism control in the Netherlands are discussed: definition of terrorism, political and administrative aspects of terrorism control, organization of terrorism control, violent intervention in terrorist situations, and public attitudes toward terrorism.
Abstract
Despite active discussion, no legal definition of terrorism exists. As defined here, terrorism involves forcible actions undertaken upon victims by individuals or groups acting against the Government. Terrorist acts may take a number of forms, including hijackings, takeovers, kidnappings, planned and unplanned murders, and combined actions. Classification depends on the offense location, types and numbers of victims, and number of deaths. The justice system has primacy in controlling terrorism, but judicial and executive authorities must cooperate when faced with acts of terror that threaten the public. Preventive activities are to be undertaken by administrative rather than judicial authorities. In terrorist situations under extreme circumstances, decisions of governmental authorities tend to become more centralized. In such cases, exact definition of the position of advisors and good lines of communication between advisors and decisionmakers are essential. The type of experts required depends on the nature of the terrorist action, but in general the authorities seek to avoid 'psychiatrization' of the terrorist event. Under certain circumstances, formation of special armed police units for antiterrorist activities is unavoidable. Terrorism must be viewed as a process of conflict in which success for one side is disaster for the other side and in which the end from the perspective on one side spells the beginning of a new round in the view of the other side. Frequently decisions on future terrorist actions are made on the basis of information from previous cases. As a result, views on possible measures become inflexible and stereotyped. Effective terrorism control begins and ends with community support: it is therefore essential that antiterrorist efforts remain part of open public debate rather than being undertaken in secret without the knowledge of the public. Notes and diagrams are supplied.