A document from the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council, seen by EUROPE on Tuesday 9 November, proposes to significantly strengthen European action to combat left-wing extremism and terrorism by putting it on an equal footing with the far right.
On the basis of work carried out at the beginning of July in the working group on terrorism, it is stated that “the problem of violent left-wing and anarchist extremism and terrorism is so acute or pervasive that it requires specific action by the EU”.
Putting the forces of the far right and the far left on opposite sides of the spectrum, the working group believes that EU action must be complemented. “It would be appropriate to launch a specific initiative to prevent and counter left-wing and anarchist violent extremism and terrorism”.
The paper makes four recommendations: - create a better overview, a ‘situational map’ of violent extremism and terrorism (ideological violence), in particular to better identify actors, the modi operandi and transnational networks; - develop and share good practices on how to strengthen the prevention, detection and treatment of all forms of violent extremism and terrorism; - combat extremist content online ; - cooperate with key third countries.
The authors suggest using existing instruments, such as the EU Intelligence and Situation Centre (INTCEN) reports, Europol reports and others.
The fight against the extreme left has been a priority for the Slovenian Presidency from the outset (see EUROPE 12758/18).
To consult the document: https://bit.ly/3wxOsZL (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)