Dutch PM criticizes US plan to livestream execution; bipartisan opposition reported

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on 8 October that the US military plans to carry out a public execution, according to Politico Europe. Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009 and is scheduled to be executed on 3 December. The Pentagon has said his death will be livestreamed but has not provided details on which social media platforms would be used, if any.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten criticized the plan at a press conference in The Hague on 9 October. "Personally, I find it truly absurd to broadcast a death penalty execution live," he told reporters. He said he had not discussed the matter with the US recently, but added: "I can imagine that if there is contact with them, for instance, at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we would certainly make our dissatisfaction known."

Jetten said social media platforms in Europe have a responsibility to stop the execution from being broadcast there. "But I fear it will be impossible to prevent," he said. He added that if it appears on European platforms there will be "a great number of reports filed," because European law requires platforms to moderate violent content.

A spokesperson for the Irish Media Commission told Politico Europe that video-sharing platforms showing "gratuitous violence" must use "effective age assurance" (age checks) so that children cannot normally see such content. The media regulator is investigating X over possible breaches of online safety rules for failing to carry out proper age checks, Politico Europe reported.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights told AFP that "the livestreaming of an execution is tantamount to a public execution and would breach the absolute prohibition of torture." The UN body said the statement is in line with previous ones it released about public executions in Afghanistan and Iran. The European Commission did not immediately respond to Politico Europe's request for comment.

President Trump said on 9 October that a determination about livestreaming was still being made. "Well, they're making a determination about that, but he will be killed, it will be through firing squad," Trump told reporters before departing for a rally in Syracuse, N.Y. The Hill reported that Hegseth's plan is causing opposition from both sides of the political divide.