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Terrorism As a Cycle of Violence

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Terrorism As a Cycle of Violence Terrorism as a cycle of violence A critical discourse analysis of the ‘Orwellian’ response by the French state to the Paris attacks Source: Pancho, in Council of Europe 2017 Laura van den Vrijhoef S4066014 25 July 2017 Master thesis: final version Supervisor: prof. dr. Henk van Houtum Conflicts, Territories and Identities Radboud University Nijmegen Word count: 36.029 words 1 Executive summary This thesis investigates how the French state has responded to the Paris attacks, both in terms of discourse and policy making. It makes clear that the French state’s discourse on terrorism promotes a repressive response of military and security measures, which contributes to a cycle of aggression (Bueno Lacy et al., 17 June 2016) on the international level, and a cycle of radicalization (Adida et al., 14 January 2015) on the national level. While these measures are implemented with the intention of protecting France against future attacks, they seem to be contributing to the maintenance of the terrorist threat (Van Houtum & Bueno Lacy 2017). As a result, the French state’s approach to terrorism implies a disproportionate exertion of state power, which has sincere consequences for people’s lives. While the French state aims to defend human rights, it is violating them in a disproportionate way, both in war zones and at home (Amnesty International, 4 February 2016; Unicef, 15 March 2014; World Vision, 1 March 2016; Amnesty International, 26 October 2016a; Amnesty International, 26 October 2016b, Airwars, 17 January 2017). 2 Acknowledgements Nijmegen, 20 July 2017 This master thesis is written as part of the master specialization Conflicts, Territories and Identities, a combined master program of Human Geography and the Centre for Conflict Analysis and Management (CICAM) at the Radboud University in Nijmegen. This master program has been an interesting follow-up to my bachelor in Political Science. During two years of intensive courses on international conflict, elective courses on the Arabic language, and an internship at the Nijmegen Centre for Border Research (NCBR), this master program has strengthened my skills of analytical thinking, critical reasoning and academic writing, and has challenged me to question my taken for granted knowledge about international conflict. It has especially triggered my interest for the topic of terrorism, which polarizes public debates in a way that I do not feel comfortable about. This thesis is just the beginning of my search for a better understanding of the societal tensions that cause, and are caused by, radicalization and terrorism. There are a couple of names that deserve to be mentioned here. First of all, I would like to thank my supervisor prof. dr. Henk van Houtum for his guidance throughout the entire research process. I am thankful for the freedom and trust he has given me to find my own voice and build my own story. Our conversations often left me in a state of confusion, but they always turned out to be very helpful for the realization of my story line. Moreover, I was allowed to be part of CICAM, the Human Geography Department and NCBR. I am thankful for the interesting conversations I was able to have with a great diversity of people. In particular, Rodrigo Bueno Lacy and his tireless inspiration will not be forgotten soon. He has often flooded me with new insights and has never been reluctant to share his critical opinions. Additionally, I would like to thank Sarah Dresden, my tutor and sparring-partner from the Nijmegen Centre for Academic Writing. Despite our different academic backgrounds, not much words were needed for her to understand what I was doing and where I wanted to go. She has helped me to structure my ideas and find a common thread within the bulk of information in which I had immersed myself when I knocked at her door for the first time. Finally, and most importantly, I would like to express my thanks and love to my parents Mireille and Peter and my boyfriend Funs for their never ending support during the challenging process of writing a master thesis. They have been there for me with hugs and good food during each and every ‘up’ and ‘down’ and have encouraged me to never stop believing in myself. I am proud of the result and I hope that it can be an inspiration for others. Laura van den Vrijhoef 3 Preface This text is a personal story that is based on the news broadcast of Nieuwsuur1 (13 November 2015) and an extra news broadcast of the NOS2 (14 November 2015a). 13 November 2015 I am drawing a painting while sitting on the couch next to my father. Drawing helps me to process my experiences of the day. It is my way out in times of bad weather, which stops me from having an evening walk through the polder landscape. My mother is upstairs brushing her teeth before going to bed. She has to get up early tomorrow morning and values a good night rest. My boyfriend is laying on the other couch working on his laptop. It is a normal Friday evening in November, just like we have had many; drinking tea after a nice dinner and watching TV. It is ten o’clock when Nieuwsuur starts off with a report about the cabinet’s failed plan for a renewed tax system. It does not interest me that much to shift my eyes from my piece of paper to the television screen. The Dutch home care organization TSN must reverse the proposed wage reduction. Jihadi John has been killed by an American drone. We hear John Kerry, the American Minister of Foreign Affairs, warning: “The terrorists associated with Daesh need to know this: your days are numbered and you will be defeated”. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters have recaptured the city of Sinjar from Islamic State. The police has arrested 18 Kurdish protestors in the building of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Street musicians in Amsterdam will be banned. Then, in between two news items, anchorman Jeroen Overbeek firmly announces: “We just have received the news that there have been shootings in a restaurant in Paris. French media report several deaths. We will inform you as soon as we have more information.” Nieuwsuur continues with a report about a proposal to introduce a euthanasia pill for people with incurable diseases. After that, it elaborates on a personal story of a refugee family from Syria, living separately in the Netherlands and Turkey. The Dutch government plans to restrict the possibilities for family reunification. Then, the anchorwoman, Marielle Tweebeeke, interrupts: “There have been shootings in a restaurant in Paris. As far as we know, two people have been killed and seven are injured. We will of course let you know when there is more to tell.” Nieuwsuur returns to the news of the day again. Councilors express their concerns about their possibilities for monitoring the City Council after national health care responsibilities have been transferred to the municipalities. An elderly woman tells about the home care she receives, which has been reduced with three hours a week. “And back to the situation in Paris. This night, shootings have taken place in a restaurant. Two deaths, seven injuries. We have heard that there have also been several explosions at a football stadium. Ron Linker, our correspondent in Paris, is on the line at the moment, hello Ron?” It remains silent on the other side of the line. 1 A Dutch daily news program that provides background information to the news. 2 The Dutch national news channel of the public service broadcasting. 4 “We had hoped to get more information from him, but unfortunately the connection is not working.” The anchors rush through the remainder of the news broadcast and try to get into contact with Ron Linker several times, but the connection continues to fail. In the meantime, sports anchorman Gert van ‘t Hof continues with sports news. He has not yet finished his item about Johan Cruijff, whose position at the management of Ajax seems to be under pressure, when Marielle Tweebeeke interrupts again: “We will elaborate on this in a few minutes, but first we return to Paris. Earlier this evening, we reported on the shootings that have taken place at a restaurant. In the meantime, it has become clear that eighteen people have died. In addition, things are happening at Stade de France3, where president Francois Hollande was attending a soccer game. He has now returned to the Elysée Palace4. As soon as we have more information… Oh, that moment is now. We finally have Ron Linker on the line, our correspondent in Paris. Ron, tell us more!” In the minutes and hours that follow, the series of coordinated attacks that are taking place in Paris unroll themselves to our living room and to the rest of the world. When Nieuwsuur comes to an end, the NOS starts an extra news broadcast in which the anchors alternate with the correspondent in Paris, endlessly repeating what has already been said, each time with a little bit more of information. Pictures, videos and stories of eyewitnesses appear on social media. Panic, chaos and fear seem to take over the city. The amount of deaths continues to increase to 26, 30 and eventually ‘dozens’. The anchors and correspondents try to search for meaning. Can we think of a link between the sites of the attacks? Do they have something to do with the attacks on Charlie Hebdo? France just took extra security measures to prepare itself for the upcoming international climate summit, could this have something to do with it? How much security do we need? Is it even possible to defend ourselves against these kind of attacks? And where on earth have the shooters gone? During the days that follow, the news is dominated by – what has come to be known as – the Paris attacks.
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