Brussels, 01/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 30 September, the French Presidency presented a handbook for prison staff on good practice for preventing terrorist radicalisation. Radicalisation, in particular Islamic, is “something we have been aware of for a number of years and which today affects just over 100 prisoners” in France, said French Home Affairs Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie at a meeting of European experts in Saint Denis. Opening the European seminar - organised by the Uclat (Anti-terrorist Coordination Unit) of the French Police - on radicalisation in EU prisons, the minister added that the problem existed also in “other countries such as Germany and Austria,” AFP reports.
The reflection period on this issue, which began in 2007 under the Austrian Presidency, is due to be completed by the end of the French Presidency at the end of December. At the meeting, the minister presented a “handbook for all prison staff” in the EU, setting out a number of indicators that radicalisation is taking place and providing recommendations. Among the indicators are what may be termed external - appearance, clothing or growing a beard - Alliot-Marie said, adding that there were other less obvious signs, such as, for example, refusing to obey orders given by female prison staff. The handbook also provides recommendations to try to stop the process, re-establish dialogue, and prevent a detainee turning in on himself, something which often precedes radicalisation, she said. The guide, she went on, also suggested not rejecting any religion and ensuring religious freedom. The seminar was also attended by representatives from Algeria, a country with which “we want to work,” the minister said, because “the EU cannot combat extremism and terrorism on its own”. Alliot-Marie felt that, while prisons were places where radicalisation could be detected and action taken against it, the same could be said for other places, such as universities and the internet, where training can be carried out and information exchanged.
European Justice, Freedom and Security Commissioner Jacques Barrot, who also attended the meeting, welcomed the French Presidency's presentation of the handbook of good practice. “The European Union will continue supporting initiatives such as these, that have important practical effects in the member states and that help shape the EU's policy on prevention of terrorism,” the Commission said in a press release. On Tuesday, the Commission published on its internet site four studies that it funded: - factors that trigger radicalisation processes, in particular among young people; - beliefs, ideology and narrative of violent radicals; - tactics used to mobilise and recruit people into terrorism; - best practice in engaging with civil society to fight radicalisation. (For further information, go to: http: //ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/terrorism/prevention/fsj_terrorism_prevention_prevent_en.htm) It was planned that the Commission publish a communication on radicalisation and recruitment in 2008. The presentation of this document does not, however, feature in the Commission work programme, although the June European Council called on it to present its communication as quickly as possible. “It didn't provide tangible added value,” a Commission spokesman said. A European source indicated, however, that the document prepared by the Commission had not received the necessary political endorsement. “There was deadlock at cabinet level for fear of offending the Muslim community. The Commission has to maintain strict neutrality on religious issues,” the source said. (B.C./transl.rt)