EU strengthens response to radicalization, violent extremism

The European Commission (EC) on Wednesday adopted a communique identifying 10 areas in which member states and the European Union (EU) are called to reinforce action to prevent all types of extremism that leads to violence. Proposed measures include the creation of a European knowledge hub on violent extremism, the development of training for frontline practitioners and financial support for projects making use of modern communication tools and social media to counter terrorist propaganda. Member states are asked to establish programs making it easier for members of extremist groups to abandon violence and the underlying ideology. The anti-extremism recommendations are the result of two years of work in the radicalization awareness network (RAN), founded by the European Commission in 2011, gathering 700 experts and frontline practitioners from all over Europe. According to an EC statement, terrorist and violent extremist activities are carried out not only by organized groups but increasingly by smaller groups or lone actors. The statement said the use of online tools for recruitment purposes and to spread propaganda is increasing, in turn making violent actions harder to predict and detect. Furthermore, an increasing number of Europeans travel abroad to train and to fight in combat zones, becoming more radicalized in the process, and pose a threat to security upon their return. "Far too few EU member states are facing up to this rising threat. Our aim is to boost member states' efforts against radicalisation and extremist violence, and to provide a toolbox for preventive action in Europe," said Cecilia Malmstrom, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.