The Netherlands does not take part in drone attacks on terrorist suspects, defence minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said in a parliamentary debate on Wednesday evening.

Nor is there any evidence that other countries involved in this sort of action are using information gleaned from Dutch intelligence sources, the minister is quoted as saying in answer to MPs questions.

In early March, the NRC published research based on Edward Snowden’s leaked documents which showed how Dutch intelligence information which helps locate the whereabouts of known extremists in Somalia is shared with America’s NSA.

Guarantees

Opposition MPs say the minister cannot guarantee Dutch intelligence is not being used by the Americans to ‘take out’ targets.

But Hennis, who said she is restricted in what she makes public, told MPs that Dutch intelligence services only collect information on the basis of Dutch directives.

MPs said they want the cabinet to make it explicitly clear that Dutch information should not be used for illegal killings. Hennis said the cabinet acts ‘in the spirit’ of this request.

The Netherlands has its own drones but these are not armed and there are no plans to arm them, Hennis said.