On the closing day of a conference on terrorism, foreign minister Maxime Verhagen announced that a new international counterterrorism institute will be established in The Hague this spring, to bring together knowledge and experience on preventing and combating violent extremism.

At the conference, the Oud-Poelgeest think-tank presented the results of a three-year study into the legal scope for combating terrorism. ‘We know that Guantanamo Bay is not the answer. In fighting terrorism, we should always uphold the rule of law, without exception. There can be no excuse for violating universal human rights – ever,’ Mr Verhagen said. ‘The question is, how can a state address terrorism within the confines of the law. That is why the Oud-Poelgeest think tank was formed.’

The think-tank has concluded that there is no need for new international rules, but that existing international law needs to be better complied with. It also advises helping developing countries build their capacity for counterterrorism.

‘It’s more effective to prevent radicalisation and extremism than to fight them once they’ve taken root. It is also important to fight impunity. Whether terrorists strike in New York, Mumbai or Moscow, we must let them know that they will not get away with it,’ Mr Verhagen said. He therefore called for the existing legal framework to be complemented by the adoption of the UN convention on international terrorism.

Now that the Oud-Poelgeest process has been concluded, Mr Verhagen announced that he is contributing 2.5 million euros to the establishment of a new international counterterrorism institute which will build on the work done by the think-tank. In the institute, scholars, policymakers and implementing organisations will combine their expertise on preventing and combating terrorism. Prevention will be an important focus area, but Mr Verhagen promised that the institute would also investigate ways of ensuring that terrorists cannot act with impunity.

Click here for the speech of the Minister at the Oud-Poelgeest Conference.

Comments/Questions? Email netherlands@un.int