Brussels, 17/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - With a group of European countries particularly affected by the phenomenon due to meet in Italy in July to adopt concrete measures, the European Commission held a conference in Brussels on 17 June on the prevention of radicalisation and ways of preventing Europeans from leaving for Syria, then returning to the EU to carry out attacks, as shown on 24 May by the French citizen Mehdi Nemmouche, who is accused of the shooting at the Jewish Museum of Brussels.
During this conference, Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, who is responsible for home affairs, warned against the rise in Europe of populist and xenophobic movements, which she believes are linked to the radicalisation of certain individuals. “Although these movements are not directly responsible for terrorist attacks, they supply oxygen and increasing acceptance of extremist points of view, which serve as a breeding ground for violence. We will not be able to tackle violent extremism if we do not speak out against the propaganda spread by those who support extremist, xenophobic and racist views”, said the commissioner.
Following the attacks in Oslo and Utoya in 2011, the Commission set in place a radicalisation prevention network, which now comprises 800 professionals. Malmström also announced the creation, by 2015, of a European headquarters (“hub”) to enhance the work of the radicalisation prevention network, possibly allowing it to send experts to the member states. It will receive funding of €16 million for the period 2015-2018.
The European institution also wishes to help the member states to develop assistance programmes to remove Europeans from violent groups and to create contact points for the families affected (for instance hotlines to report any planned departures of children or other close relatives). Online radicalisation, for instance via the social networks, is also one of the priority areas. (MB)