DOCSLIB.ORG

Countering the Perceived Terrorism Threat in European Cities

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Countering the Perceived Terrorism Threat in European Cities Countering the Perceived Terrorism Threat in European Cities The ways authorities in Brussels and Berlin are responding to influence safety perceptions of tourists Merle-Marie Müller MSc Tourism, Society and Environment (MTO) Supervisor: Dr. Robert Fletcher (Sociology of Development and Change) Date of Submission: 02.04.2020 Countering the Perceived Terrorism Threat in European Cities The ways authorities in Brussels and Berlin are responding to influence safety perceptions of tourists Merle-Marie Müller 930813594100 MSc Tourism, Society and Environment (MTO) Wageningen University & Research Date of Submission: 02.04.2020 Thesis code SDC-80436 Sociology of Development and Change (SDC) Supervisor: Dr. Robert Fletcher (Sociology of Development and Change) Examiner: Dr. Stasja Koot (Sociology of Development and Change) Acknowledgements First, I like to thank Robert Fletcher for his interest in my thesis research, his supervision and all his comments and guidance throughout the research project. My highest gratitude goes to all my interview partners who played a vital role in my research. I highly appreciate their time, effort and contribution to my research. Moreover, I like to thank my family for their constant support, their interest and motivation. Finally, I am very grateful for my boyfriend, Marcel van Stee, and his believe in me. I thank him for his endless support, for motivating me and cheering me up when I was feeling lost, for distracting me when I was feeling overwhelmed and for his feedback on my thesis. This thesis would not have been possible without all of them. 1 Abstract London (2005), Oslo (2011), Paris (2015), Brussels (2016), Berlin (2016) and Barcelona (2017) are all examples of recent terrorist attacks on European soil, making terrorism a central issue in Europe and worldwide. The last years have shown that terrorism attacks in Europe are declining. However, the terrorism threat in Europe remains on a high level, creating a feeling of insecurity and fear throughout the world. Terrorism attacks do not only cause human losses and destruction, but also impact a city’s society as well as economy including the tourism industry due to changed risk and safety perceptions of tourists. This causes authorities to act on international level, European Union level, national and even local level. However, research has not extensively addressed the counter-terrorism measures implemented on the local level. Therefore, this research project investigated measures taken on the local level to counter the perceived threat of terrorism in European cities that have been struck by a terror attack. Special attention was given to exploring counter-terrorism measures in relation to changing tourists’ perceptions of security and safety. Brussels and Berlin serve as case studies to the research. The findings of the research are based on qualitative data collection methods in form of semi-structured expert interviews, participant observation, database analysis and semi-structured tourist interviews in Brussels and Berlin. The research shows that both research destinations implemented a variety of counter-terrorism measures in different domains including on the political level, the build environment, local airports and event safety. Furthermore, in Brussels the DMO played an essential role in rebuilding a positive and safe destination image by developing destination-specific strategies and promotional marketing campaigns. In regard to the motivation for the implementation of these counter-terrorism measures taken in Brussels and Berlin, the findings suggest that tourism is only playing an indirect part. Tourism is only central to the steps the DMOs have taken. The study further discovered that in general, counter-terrorism measures implemented in Brussels positively influence the safety perception of the majority of tourists interviewed, while in Berlin nearly all tourists interviewed stated that security measures do not impact their safety perception Berlin as they perceive the city generally as being safe. The study concludes that European cities respond very differently to the perceived terrorism threat by implementing a variety of counter-terrorism measures in various fields. These measures highly differ in their rigour and are highly dependent on the type and impact of a terror attack as well as on the legal regulations and organisational structures of security authorities within a country and city. 1 Table of Contents List of Figures and Tables .............................................................................................................. I List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................................... II 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Research Questions ...................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Outline of the Thesis Research ..................................................................................................... 6 2 Literature Review ...................................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Terrorism in the 21st Century ........................................................................................................ 7 2.2 Terrorism in European Cities ........................................................................................................ 9 2.3 Relation of Terrorism and Tourism ............................................................................................... 9 2.4 Counter-Terrorism Measures...................................................................................................... 11 2.4.1 Proactive Counter-Terrorism Measures .............................................................................. 13 2.4.2 Defensive Counter-Terrorism Measures .............................................................................. 13 2.4.3 Destination Marketing Organisations .................................................................................. 15 2.5 Implications of The Literature Review on the Research Project ................................................. 16 3 Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 17 3.1 Research Design .......................................................................................................................... 17 3.2 Research Locations ..................................................................................................................... 17 3.2.1 Brussels, Belgium ................................................................................................................. 18 3.2.2 Berlin, Germany ................................................................................................................... 20 3.3 Data Collection ............................................................................................................................ 21 3.3.1 Semi-structured Expert Interviews ...................................................................................... 21 3.3.2 Observations ........................................................................................................................ 22 3.3.3 Database .............................................................................................................................. 23 3.3.4 Semi-structured (mini) Interviews with Tourists ................................................................. 23 3.4 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................... 24 3.5 Ethics ........................................................................................................................................... 24 3.6 Limitations ................................................................................................................................... 25 4 Influences of the Terror Attacks on Brussels and Berlin ............................................................ 27 4.1 Brussels, Belgium ........................................................................................................................ 27 4.1.1 Impact of the Terrorist Attacks on Tourism in Brussels ....................................................... 27 4.1.2 Impacts and Influences of the Terrorist Attacks on Brussels ............................................... 28 4.2 Berlin, Germany .......................................................................................................................... 30 4.2.1 Impact of the Terrorist Attack on Tourism in Berlin ............................................................ 30 4.2.2 Impacts and Influences of the Terrorist Attacks on Berlin .................................................. 31 1 5 Findings of the Research .......................................................................................................... 32 5.1 Measures Implemented to Counter Terrorism at the Local Level .............................................. 32 5.1.1 Political Counter-Terrorism Measures ................................................................................. 32 5.1.2 Changes to the Build Environment .....................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Une «Flamandisation» De Bruxelles?
    Une «flamandisation» de Bruxelles? Alice Romainville Université Libre de Bruxelles RÉSUMÉ Les médias francophones, en couvrant l'actualité politique bruxelloise et à la faveur des (très médiatisés) «conflits» communautaires, évoquent régulièrement les volontés du pouvoir flamand de (re)conquérir Bruxelles, voire une véritable «flamandisation» de la ville. Cet article tente d'éclairer cette question de manière empirique à l'aide de diffé- rents «indicateurs» de la présence flamande à Bruxelles. L'analyse des migrations entre la Flandre, la Wallonie et Bruxelles ces vingt dernières années montre que la population néerlandophone de Bruxelles n'est pas en augmentation. D'autres éléments doivent donc être trouvés pour expliquer ce sentiment d'une présence flamande accrue. Une étude plus poussée des migrations montre une concentration vers le centre de Bruxelles des migrations depuis la Flandre, et les investissements de la Communauté flamande sont également, dans beaucoup de domaines, concentrés dans le centre-ville. On observe en réalité, à défaut d'une véritable «flamandisation», une augmentation de la visibilité de la communauté flamande, à la fois en tant que groupe de population et en tant qu'institution politique. Le «mythe de la flamandisation» prend essence dans cette visibilité accrue, mais aussi dans les réactions francophones à cette visibilité. L'article analyse, au passage, les différentes formes que prend la présence institutionnelle fla- mande dans l'espace urbain, et en particulier dans le domaine culturel, lequel présente à Bruxelles des enjeux particuliers. MOTS-CLÉS: Bruxelles, Communautés, flamandisation, migrations, visibilité, culture ABSTRACT DOES «FLEMISHISATION» THREATEN BRUSSELS? French-speaking media, when covering Brussels' political events, especially on the occasion of (much mediatised) inter-community conflicts, regularly mention the Flemish authorities' will to (re)conquer Brussels, if not a true «flemishisation» of the city.
    [Show full text]
  • 10 Years of Eu Counter-Terrorism
    A DECADE OF EU COUNTER-TERRORISM AND INTELLIGENCE: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT INTRODUCTION Dr Javier Argomaniz (University of St Andrews), Dr OldrichBures (Metropolitan University Prague) & Dr Christian Kaunert (University of Salford & European University Institute Florence) The Treaty on the European Union (EU) stipulates that one of the key objectives of the Union is to provide citizens with a high level of safety within an Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ). Given the fact that the fight against terrorism is a prominent aspect of this general objective, it is remarkable that, in spite of its political relevance and decade-long history, it has only relatively recently received due attention in the academic community1. Only a handful of post-9/11 edited volumes and special issues have focused on specific aspects of the EU counterterrorism efforts2 and initial monographs on the subject have only been relatively recently published by the three editors behind this special issue: Argomaniz3 has produced a theoretically informed assessment of the coherence of the EU response, Bures4 has examined the extent to which the EU can offer an added 1 A selection of relevant contributions would include: Monica den Boer and JörgMonar, ‘Keynote Article: 11 September and the Challenge of Global Terrorism to the EU as a Security Actor’, Journal of Common Market Studies, 40/4 (2002), pp. 11-28; John Occhipinti, The Politics of EU Police Cooperation: Towards a European FBI?(Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner, 2003); Edwin Bakker ‘Differences in Terrorist Threat Perceptions in Europe’, in DieterMahncke and JörgMonar (eds.) International Terrorism.A European Response to a Global Threat? (Brussels: P.I.E Peter Lang, 2006); Daniel KeohaneThe EU and counter-terrorism (London: CER, 2005); DoronZimmermann, D., “The European Union and Post-9/11 Counterterrorism: A Reappraisal”, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 29/1, (2006),pp.
    [Show full text]
  • Framed Memories of Berlin
    Framed Memories of Berlin Kacmaz Erk, G., & Wilson, C. (2018). Framed Memories of Berlin: Film, Remembrance and Architecture. Architecture and Culture, 6(2), 243-263. https://doi.org/10.1080/20507828.2018.1478513 Published in: Architecture and Culture Document Version: Peer reviewed version Queen's University Belfast - Research Portal: Link to publication record in Queen's University Belfast Research Portal Publisher rights Copyright 2018 Taylor and Francis. This work is made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher. General rights Copyright for the publications made accessible via the Queen's University Belfast Research Portal is retained by the author(s) and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Take down policy The Research Portal is Queen's institutional repository that provides access to Queen's research output. Every effort has been made to ensure that content in the Research Portal does not infringe any person's rights, or applicable UK laws. If you discover content in the Research Portal that you believe breaches copyright or violates any law, please contact [email protected]. Download date:02. Oct. 2021 Framed Memories of Berlin: Film, Architecture and Remembrance Abstract Collective memory can be defined as a shared notion of how a social group constructs its past. Architecture and cinema play a major role in the creation of collective memory, buildings by structuring lived experiences and films by framing, re-presenting and fixing those experiences so that they can be collectively revisited.
    [Show full text]
  • From Criminals to Terrorists and Back?
    FROM CRIMINALS TO TERRORISTS AND BACK? KICK-OFF REPORT www.globsec.org AUTHORS Kacper Rekawek, Head of Defence and Security Programme, GLOBSEC Policy Institute Stanislav Matejka, Junior Research Fellow, Defence and Security Programme, GLOBSEC Policy Institute Martina Babikova, GLOBSEC Policy Institute Tomas Nagy, Research Fellow, Defence and Security Programme, GLOBSEC Policy Institute Jakub Rafay, GLOBSEC Policy Institute Design by Peter Verček, GLOBSEC The following distinguished partners were consulted in the process of preparation of this report. The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. • Austria - Daniela Pisoiu • Bulgaria - Rositsa Dzhekova, Nadya Stoynova • France - Olivier de France, Damien Saverot, Pierre Colomina • Germany - Matenia Sirseloudi • Greece - Eleni Fotou • Ireland - Orla Lynch • Italy - Marco Lombardi, Giovanni Giacalone, Nicolò Spagna • Netherlands - Jessica Sciarone, Bart Schuurman • Spain - Fernando Reinares, Carola García Calvo, Álvaro Vicente • United Kingdom - John Morrison, Aleksandra Łojek The project is funded under PMI IMPACT, a global grant initiative of Philip Morris International to support projects against illegal trade. GLOBSEC is fully independent in implementing the project and has editorial responsibility for all views and opinions expressed herein. CONTENTS PROJECT SUMMARY 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7 FROM CRIMINALS TO TERRORISTS AND BACK? 10 INTRODUCING CRIME-TERROR NEXUS 10 RESEARCHING THE CRIME-TERROR NEXUS: CHALLENGES 12 RESEARCHING THE NEXUS: WHAT IS NEXT?
    [Show full text]
  • Heritage Days 15 & 16 Sept
    HERITAGE DAYS 15 & 16 SEPT. 2018 HERITAGE IS US! The book market! Halles Saint-Géry will be the venue for a book market organised by the Department of Monuments and Sites of Brussels-Capital Region. On 15 and 16 September, from 10h00 to 19h00, you’ll be able to stock up your library and take advantage of some special “Heritage Days” promotions on many titles! Info Featured pictograms DISCOVER Organisation of Heritage Days in Brussels-Capital Region: Regional Public Service of Brussels/Brussels Urbanism and Heritage Opening hours and dates Department of Monuments and Sites a THE HERITAGE OF BRUSSELS CCN – Rue du Progrès/Vooruitgangsstraat 80 – 1035 Brussels c Place of activity Telephone helpline open on 15 and 16 September from 10h00 to 17h00: Launched in 2011, Bruxelles Patrimoines or starting point 02/204.17.69 – Fax: 02/204.15.22 – www.heritagedays.brussels [email protected] – #jdpomd – Bruxelles Patrimoines – Erfgoed Brussel magazine is aimed at all heritage fans, M Metro lines and stops The times given for buildings are opening and closing times. The organisers whether or not from Brussels, and reserve the right to close doors earlier in case of large crowds in order to finish at the planned time. Specific measures may be taken by those in charge of the sites. T Trams endeavours to showcase the various Smoking is prohibited during tours and the managers of certain sites may also prohibit the taking of photographs. To facilitate entry, you are asked to not B Busses aspects of the monuments and sites in bring rucksacks or large bags.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran, Terrorism, and Weapons of Mass Destruction
    Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 31:169–181, 2008 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1057-610X print / 1521-0731 online DOI: 10.1080/10576100701878424 Iran, Terrorism, and Weapons of Mass Destruction DANIEL BYMAN Center for Peace and Security Studies Georgetown University Washington, DC, USA and Saban Center for Middle East Policy Brookings Institution Washington, DC, USA This article reviews Iran’s past and current use of terrorism and assesses why U.S. attempts to halt Iran’s efforts have met with little success. With this assessment in mind, it argues that Iran is not likely transfer chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons to terrorist groups for several reasons. First, providing terrorists with such unconventional Downloaded By: [Georgetown University] At: 15:20 19 March 2008 weapons offers Iran few tactical advantages as these groups are able to operate effectively with existing methods and weapons. Second, Iran has become more cautious in its backing of terrorists in recent years. And third, Tehran is highly aware that any major escalation in its support for terrorism would incur U.S. wrath and international condemnation. The article concludes by offering recommendations for decreasing Iran’s support for terrorism. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has been one of the world’s most active sponsors of terrorism. Tehran has armed, trained, financed, inspired, organized, and otherwise supported dozens of violent groups over the years.1 Iran has backed not only groups in its Persian Gulf neighborhood, but also terrorists and radicals in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Bosnia, the Philippines, and elsewhere.2 This support remains strong even today: the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • The Refugee Crisis Is Being Blamed for the Terrorist Attacks in Europe. by Nolan Rappaport PEW RESEARCH CENTER SURVEY Connection
    The refugee crisis is being blamed for the terrorist attacks in Europe. By Nolan Rappaport PEW RESEARCH CENTER SURVEY Connection between the refugee crisis and terrorism. According to a recent Pew Research Center (PEW)1 survey,2 the refugee crisis and terrorism in the European Union (EU) are very much related to one another in the minds of many Europeans. In eight of the 10 European nations surveyed, 50% or more of the people who participated in the survey believed that letting refugees into the EU had increased the likelihood of terrorism. 3 Increase in migration to EU countries. In 2015 alone, more than a million migrants applied for refugee status in the EU. Most of them came from primarily Muslim countries, such as Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq.4 When the survey asked specifically whether these Muslim migrants supported extremist groups like the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), most of the people surveyed responded that they did not think such groups had widespread support in the Muslim communities. On the other hand, in no country did a majority say “very few” Muslims supported ISIS; and in five countries, a quarter or more said many or most Muslims did.5 No correlation was found between fear that refugees were bringing terrorists with them and the number of refugees coming into a country. Poland only has had a few thousand refugee applications in the past year, but 73% of the people surveyed in Poland said refugees were a major threat. In contrast, Germany has had several hundred thousand applications, and just 31% of the Germans surveyed were concerned about the refugees.
    [Show full text]
  • International Terrorism and Europe
    Chaillot Papers December 2002 n°56 International terrorism and Europe Thérèse Delpech In January 2002 the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) beca- me an autonomous Paris-based agency of the European Union. Following an EU Council Joint Action of 20 July 2001, it is now an integral part of the new structures that will support the further development of the CFSP/ESDP. The Institute’s core mission is to provide analyses and recommendations that can be of use and relevance to the formulation of EU policies. In carrying out that mission, it also acts as an interface between experts and decision-makers at all levels. The EUISS is the successor to the WEU Institute for Security Studies, set up in 1990 by the WEU Council to foster and sti- mulate a wider discussion of security issues across Europe. Chaillot Papers are monographs on topical questions written either by a member of the ISS research team or by outside authors chosen and commissioned by the Institute. Early drafts are normally discussed at a semi- nar or study group of experts convened by the Institute and publication indicates that the paper is considered by the ISS as a useful and authoritative contribution to the debate on CFSP/ESDP. Responsibility for the views expressed in them lies exclusively with authors. Chaillot Papers are also accessible via the Institute’s Website: www.iss-eu.org Chaillot Papers December 2002 n°56 The original French version is also available International terrorism and Europe Thérèse Delpech Institute for Security Studies European Union Paris The author Thérèse Delpech is Director for Strategic Affairs at France’s Commissariat à l’Energie atomique, Commissioner at UNMOVIC (UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission for Iraq) and associate researcher at the Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches internationales (CERI).
    [Show full text]
  • Si Woluwe M'était Conté
    Dossiers historiques Si Woluwe m’était conté ... Woluwe-Saint-Lambert Rédaction : Marc Villeirs, Musée communal Mise en page : Ariane Gauthier, service Information-Communication 2002. Si Woluwe m’était conté ... DOSSIER HISTORIQUE N°1 Les origines De Woluwe à Saint-Lambert, ou l'histoire du nom de notre commune Qui s'intéresse un tant Au-delà de 1203, les documents apparentée, Wiluva, existe dans soit peu à la toponymie nous livrent indifféremment les un manuscrit du milieu du XIe siè- (la science qui étudie les formes WOLUE (1238, 1282, 1352, cle mais qui désigne sans ambiguï- 1372, …) ou WOLUWE (1309, té Woluwe-Saint-Étienne. Des rai- noms de lieux) ne sera 1329, 1394, 1440,...). Cette derniè- sons similaires nous forcent à pas surpris de constater re s'impose toutefois progressive- rejeter Wileuwa et Wuluwa erro- la diversité surprenante ment au cours des temps et c'est nément cités en 1146 et 1186. de significations que elle qui devient la graphie officiel- revêtent les noms de nos le du nom de la communes. commune (de même que pour Certaines dénominations Saint-Étienne et sont aisément explica- Saint-Pierre) à bles. l'époque fran- Pour mémoire, citons : çaise. Aigremont, Blankenberge, Petite-Chapelle, Sint- On remarque qu'une graphie Ulriks-Kapelle, etc. excentrique, D'autres sont loin d'être Wilewe apparaît limpides : on y retrouve en 1163. Elle est la majorité des localités isolée et n'in- de nos régions. Il en est fluence donc enfin qui relèvent des pas les autres formes dont les deux catégories préci- La Woluwe à hauteur du parc des radicaux se présentent à l'unisson Sources vers 1930.
    [Show full text]
  • Mental Health and Terrorism
    Combating Terrorism Center at West Point Objective • Relevant • Rigorous | January 2017 • Volume 10, Issue 1 FEATURE ARTICLE A VIEW FROM THE CT FOXHOLE Mental Health and Peter Edge and Terrorism Wil van Gemert U.S. Immigration and Customs Is there a link between Islamic State terror and mental illness? Enforcement Acting Deputy Director Emily Corner and Paul Gill and Europol Deputy Director FEATURE ARTICLE 1 Is There a Nexus Between Terrorist Involvement and Mental Health in the Editor in Chief Age of the Islamic State? Paul Cruickshank Emily Corner and Paul Gill Managing Editor INTERVIEW Kristina Hummel 11 A View from the CT Foxhole: Peter Edge, ICE Acting Deputy Director, and Wil van Gemert, Europol Deputy Director EDITORIAL BOARD Paul Cruickshank Colonel Suzanne Nielsen, Ph.D. Department Head ANALYSIS Dept. of Social Sciences (West Point) 17 Fighting the Long War: The Evolution of al-Qa`ida in the Arabian Peninsula Michael Horton Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Price, Ph.D. Director, CTC 23 Drone, Counter Drone: Observations on the Contest Between the United States and Jihadis Brian Dodwell Don Rassler Deputy Director, CTC 28 Sub-Saharan Africa’s Three “New” Islamic State Afliates Jason Warner CONTACT Combating Terrorism Center U.S. Military Academy The deadly attack at Fort Lauderdale airport earlier this month by an indi- 607 Cullum Road, Lincoln Hall vidual claiming to have been influenced by voices he heard and to have acted on behalf of the Islamic State has renewed attention on the nexus West Point, NY 10996 between terrorism and mental health. In our cover article, Emily Corner and Paul Gill explore what Phone: (845) 938-8495 they argue are complex and often misunderstood links.
    [Show full text]
  • Lange Nacht Der Museen JUNGE WILDE & ALTE MEISTER
    31 AUG 13 | 18—2 UHR Lange Nacht der Museen JUNGE WILDE & ALTE MEISTER Museumsinformation Berlin (030) 24 74 98 88 www.lange-nacht-der- M u s e e n . d e präsentiert von OLD MASTERS & YOUNG REBELS Age has occupied man since the beginning of time Cranach’s »Fountain of Youth«. Many other loca- – even if now, with Europe facing an ageing popula- tions display different expression of youth culture tion and youth unemployment, it is more relevant or young artist’s protests: Mail Art in the Akademie than ever. As far back as antiquity we find unsparing der Künste, street art in the Kreuzberg Museum, depictions of old age alongside ideal figures of breakdance in the Deutsches Historisches Museum young athletes. Painters and sculptors in every and graffiti at Lustgarten. epoch have tackled this theme, demonstrating their The new additions to the Long Night programme – virtuosity in the characterisation of the stages of the Skateboard Museum, the Generation 13 muse- life. In history, each new generation has attempted um and the Ramones Museum, dedicated to the to reform society; on a smaller scale, the conflict New York punk band – especially convey the atti- between young and old has always shaped the fami- tude of a generation. There has also been a genera- ly unit – no differently amongst the ruling classes tion change in our team: Wolf Kühnelt, who came up than the common people. with the idea of the Long Night of Museums and The participating museums have creatively picked who kept it vibrant over many years, has passed on up the Long Night theme – in exhibitions, guided the management of the project.We all want to thank tours, films, talks and music.
    [Show full text]
  • Right-Wing Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Europe – an Overview
    Seventh meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol – video conference, 28 and 29 September 2020 Memo: Right-wing violent extremism and terrorism in Europe – an overview I. Background In October 2019 the Justice and Home Affairs Council agreed to work on four priority issues, namely creating a better situational overview, continuing to develop and share good practices for strengthening the prevention, detection and addressing of violent extremism and terrorism, addressing the spread of unlawful right-wing extremist content online and offline and cooperating with key third countries. At the present time there is no EU-wide uniform definition of violent right-wing extremism and terrorism. The present legal position is that Europol assists member states in combating right- wing extremism and terrorism, particularly by promoting analytical capacity and exchanges of information through the European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC). Member states also use the Europol analysis project Dolphin for providing relevant data on right-wing extremism and terrorism. Operational meetings are also held on various areas of activity. In addition, the Europol Information System (EIS) remains available to provide instant information and highlight international aspects of criminal police cases. II. The present situation According to the latest EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report, dated 23 June 2020, three EU member states provided information on a total of six right-wing terrorist attacks in the EU in 2019. One of these was completed (United Kingdom), one failed (Lithuania) and four were foiled (three in the UK and one in Poland). Germany, the report states, also reported two attacks carried out by right-wing extremists, but these were not classifiable as terrorism in German law.
    [Show full text]