In several European countries, the idea of stripping citizenship from individuals involved in serious crimes or terrorist activities is gaining momentum. This approach, which was once considered radical, is rapidly becoming popular among governments seeking to strengthen security and enhance control over potential threats, reports the Baltimore Chronicle, citing The Guardian.
In France, a law was passed in 2015 allowing the revocation of citizenship from dual nationals convicted of terrorist crimes. In the United Kingdom, similar practices were established in 2002 and were later expanded, particularly after the terrorist attacks in 2017. There have been cases where the British government applied this mechanism even to people born in the country, which sparked significant legal disputes.
In Belgium, the parliament also approved amendments allowing the revocation of citizenship from naturalized individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses. In Denmark, a 2019 law enables the government to revoke citizenship without a court decision for individuals involved in terrorist organizations abroad.
The Netherlands introduced its own mechanism in 2017. There, the Minister of Justice can revoke citizenship from individuals suspected of terrorism, even without a criminal conviction, provided there is sufficient evidence of their activities. Meanwhile, Germany passed legislation allowing the revocation of citizenship from those who fight for terrorist groups, but only if the individual holds dual nationality, to avoid creating stateless persons.
Despite claims that such measures are justified by the need to combat terrorism, human rights organizations have expressed serious concerns. They highlight the risks of double standards and the undermining of the principle of equality before the law. The United Nations and international legal bodies have repeatedly emphasized that such decisions must follow clear procedures and respect the right to a fair trial.
Governments supporting this practice argue that revoking citizenship is a necessary step to protect citizens from terrorist threats and to maintain security. Meanwhile, critics warn of the danger of discrimination, as such laws often disproportionately affect individuals with immigrant backgrounds or dual nationality.
The idea of applying this approach is increasingly discussed in other European countries, and the question of balancing security and human rights remains open for further debate.
Earlier we wrote that European Union confirms visa-free travel for Ukraine despite new requirements.