NU.nl, 18 October 2017: 'Dutch organisations call for postponement of interception law'

“Several Dutch organisations have sent an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Rutte. They call for the 'interception law' not to be introduced until after the referendum.

The open letter (pdf) comes from organisations such as Bits of Freedom, Privacy First, the Dutch Association of Journalists and Waag Society. They are calling for the entry into force of the Intelligence and Security Services Act 2017 (Wiv) to be postponed until after the referendum.

According to the letter, reaching the threshold for a referendum sends "an important signal". The organisations write that calling an advisory referendum normally has a suspensive effect on the law that will be voted on.

"It is very important for the credibility of our democratic system that the law which is the subject of the referendum does not enter into force before the citizen's voice is taken into account in decision-making during the referendum," the organisations said.

Referendum

It was announced this week that over 400,000 people have signed the petition against the 'Sleep Act', as the initiators call the Wiv. A minimum of 300,000 valid signatures are needed for a referendum. The referendum is likely to take place during the municipal elections on 21 March 2018. The law would possibly come into force as early as 1 January 2018, part of it already in place.

An advisory referendum allows the Dutch people to speak out for or against the new Wiv. The cabinet will then decide for itself what happens to the law. (...)"

Source: https://www.nu.nl/tech/4969829/nederlandse-organisaties-vragen-uitstel-aftapwet.html, 18 October 2017.

Read HERE the full letter (pdf).

See also https://www.computable.nl/artikel/nieuws/overheid/6228203/250449/11-organisaties-vragen-om-uitstel-aftapwet.html
https://www.netkwesties.nl/1080/nee-kamp-vraagt-om-uitstel-wiv.htm
https://executive-people.nl/586409/organisaties-vragen-invoering-sleepwet-uit-te-stellen-tot-na-referendum.html
http://numrush.nl/2017/10/19/organisaties-aftapwet-uitstellen-referendum/
https://www.villamedia.nl/artikel/oproep-aan-rutte-stel-invoering-wiv-uit-tot-na-het-referendum