Europe facing radicalization over the web - Olivier Guitta in the Middle East Times (also now on the Counterterrorism Blog)

This won’t be news to many people, but there are some interesting titbits of information regarding the mechanics of the process on the software side and the practical response of France, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Here’s the intro:

A few months ago Bernard Squarcini, the head of the DST (Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire), the French equivalent of the FBI, told the French daily Libération regarding Islamic radicalization: “An ideological transformation can be done in three months on the Web. An individual can at night auto-radicalize himself via the Web and get in touch with leaders of terrorist organizations.” This assessment shows how dire the situation is in Europe when it comes to al-Qaida’s use of the Web.

Al-Qaida uses the web for four different tasks: propaganda; communication, mostly to instruct those in the field; training future combatants, a kind of online university of terrorism; and to send messages to the enemy, mostly to the West.

For instance, one of the most popular jihadist sites in France is one which translates books on the jihad in French and gives lessons on urban guerilla tactics. (This site got more than 3 million visits from France alone). Another Web site explains how to get weapons in the West (hide, assemble and breakdown) and how to manufacture bombs from products found in supermarkets.

The propaganda primarily targets youngsters. Some of them join the virtual jihad or “webtifada”, i.e. cyber criminality.

Read the rest of this article here.

EU Press Release 18 April 2008 (in full):

Amendment of the Framework Decision on combating terrorism

Today the Council reached a common approach on the amendment of the Framework Decision on combating terrorism proposed by the Commission on 6 November 2008. The amendment up-dates the Framework Decision making public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, recruitment and training for terrorism punishable behaviour, also when committed through the Internet. The amendment is well-balanced in terms of its effects on freedom of speech and general respect for human rights.

The Council Framework Decision of 13 June 2002 on combating terrorism constitutes a key tool in the fight against terrorism. It harmonises the definition of terrorist offences in all Member States and ensures that they establish for natural and legal persons having committed or being liable for such offences penalties and sanctions, which reflect the seriousness of such offences. It sets out jurisdictional rules to guarantee that terrorist offences may be effectively prosecuted and adopts specific measures with regard to victims of terrorist offences because of their vulnerability.

The proposal intends to up-date the Framework Decision by introducing three new offences: public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, recruitment and training for terrorism. It aims to equip our legal systems across the EU with the adequate tools to bring to justice the criminals who spread violent propaganda providing terrorism tactics and instructions on how to manufacture and use bombs or explosives to provoke others to commit terrorist acts. The new legislation will make it easier for law enforcement authorities to get cooperation from internet service providers, to prevent crimes and identify criminals while, at the same time, ensuring that fundamental rights remain well protected.

The amendment of the Council Framework Decision of 13 June 2002 on combating terrorism is intended to harmonise national provisions on public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, recruitment for terrorism and training for terrorism, so that these forms of behaviour are punishable, also when committed through the Internet, throughout the EU, and ensure that existing provisions on penalties, liability of legal persons, jurisdiction and prosecution applicable to terrorist offences, apply also to such forms of behaviour.

Individuals disseminating terrorist propaganda and bomb-making expertise through the Internet- can therefore be prosecuted and sentenced to prison insofar as such dissemination amounts to public provocation to commit terrorist offences, recruiting for terrorism or training for terrorism and is committed intentionally.

In these cases, courts or administrative authorities will be able to request internet service providers to remove this information according to national rules implementing the Directive on electronic commerce.

The wording which is proposed is as close as possible to the wording of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism which provides for an excellent example of how the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes can be dealt with in a way which respects the freedom of speech.

Interesting. This looks to be an item of European legislation that the British government might actually adopt without complaint. Mainly because it doesn’t conflict with their own legislation of recent years which already allows them to approach ISPs on such issues. EU-wide consistency is undoubtedly a good thing but pan-European vigilance is necessary to ensure the new offences are deployed correctly and the legislation is not misused…

(via Amicable Collisions)