Dutch PM calls US execution livestream plan 'absurd'

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten has strongly condemned the U.S. military's decision to publicly livestream an execution, describing the plan as "absurd." The announcement, made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has raised alarms in Europe.

Jetten told reporters that he personally finds it "truly absurd to broadcast a death penalty execution live." He indicated that if diplomatic contact with the U.S. occurs, the Netherlands would express its dissatisfaction. The U.S. military intends to carry out the execution of Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted in 2009 for the killings of 13 people at Fort Hood, on December 3, with the Pentagon confirming the event will be live-streamed.

The Dutch Prime Minister also placed responsibility on European social media platforms to prevent the broadcast of the execution within the continent, though he expressed pessimism about the feasibility of such a ban. He noted that if the content does appear on European platforms, numerous reports would likely be filed, as violent content is subject to moderation under European law. A spokesperson for Irish media regulator Coimisiún na Meán confirmed that video-sharing platforms must implement effective age assurance measures to prevent children from accessing gratuitous violent content, adding that the regulator is currently investigating X for potential violations of online safety rules.