Overview
ICCT research and projects in Europe are heavily influenced by lone actor terrorism, such as the case of Anders Breivik, as well as ICCT’s role in the EU Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN). Another research focus is the foreign fighter phenomenon, different ways to respond to this and the potential risk of returnees. Lastly, the Centre focuses on Cyber Jihad and the way the internet and social media are used to spread violent extremist messages.
Featured
The Syrian Foreign Fighters Problem: A Test Case from The NetherlandsIn what has been labelled as possibly the first trial of its kind in Western Europe, a court in The Netherlands recently convicted two men who wanted to travel to Syria to join the jihad. Research Fellow Dr. Christophe Paulussen analyses the two judgements and their wider implications.
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Responding to Cyber Jihad: Towards an Effective Counter Narrative
Research Fellow Dr. Bibi van Ginkel analyses the role of the internet and social media in processes of radicalisation.
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Paris 7-8 January: Darkness in the City of Light
In this Op-Ed, Mark Singleton discusses the downside of increased securitisation and the need for a comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism.
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Addressing the Foreign Terrorist Fighters Phenomenon From a European Union Perspective
A Policy Brief based on the expert meeting at the European Union to discuss the implications of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign fighters and to explore responses to the threat foreign fighters pose.
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UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014): Challenges and Opportunities for EU Policy
Meeting Note of an expert meeting to discuss appropriate and effective responses to the threat of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs).
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The New Security Council Resolution 2178 on Foreign Terrorist Fighters: A Missed Opportunity for a Holistic Approach
This Commentary reviews the new UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign terrorist fighters.
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Practices and Reflections on Development, Security, and Peace in context of Violent Extremism and Terrorism
The side event to the UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review includes a short introduction of the multi-stakeholder approach to prevent and mitigate extreme violence, and closes with recommendations.
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Returning Western Foreign Fighters: The Case of Afghanistan, Bosnia and Somalia
In this Background Note, Jeanine de Roy van Zuijdewijn and Prof. Dr. Edwin Bakker investigate three historical cases of foreign fighting: Afghanistan (1980s), Bosnia (1990s) and Somalia (2000s).
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UK Measures Rendering Terror Suspects Stateless: A Punishment More Primitive Than Torture
In the latest policy measure against the perceived threat of foreign fighters, the UK passed a law that could result in terrorism suspects becoming stateless. Dr. Christophe Paulussen and Dr. Laura van Waas analyse the bill.
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The Return of Europe’s Foreign Fighters
This Commentary argues that the problem of returning foreign fighters to Europe will only increase and policymakers should look towards civil society and local communities for solutions.
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Towards a Theory of Fear Management in the Counter-Terrorism Domain
The Paper identifies and analyses governmental approaches to managing fear in relation to terrorist incidents.
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Dealing with European Foreign Fighters in Syria: Governance Challenges and Legal Implications
The increasing amount of foreign fighters brings the possibility that returnees have radicalised which makes them a potential threat.
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Setting the Record Straight: Reversing the Burden of Proof Back to Normal in EU Terrorist Listing Cases
The Court of Justice of the EU made its final judgement in the case of Mr. Kadi: what does this mean for the burden of proof in placing individuals on sanctions list and for the implementation of the UN sanctions list?
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The Anders Behring Breivik Trial: Performing Justice, Defending Democracy
This Research Paper examines to what extent the Breivik trial attained the goals of criminal justice and also aims to determine if the trial contributed to the need for closure in society.
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The End of Radicalisation?
Following the Boston Marathon and Woolwich attacks in 2013, some commentators proclaimed the end of the concept of radicalisation as the root cause for terrorism. Dr. Alex Schmid takes a closer look at this claim.
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Creating a Police State Mentality? Stronger Visual Surveillance of Public Places after the Boston Bombings
During the first US Congressional hearing on the Boston bombings and in media reports, Boston’s police commissioner, Mr. Edward F. Davis III, advocated for stronger visual monitoring of public spaces.
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Destination Jihad: Why Syria and not Mali
This Commentary analyses the exodus of young European jihadists that are inundating Western intelligence services.
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A Long Journey to Justice: El-Masri and the First Case against the Practice of Extra-ordinary Renditions
The first judgement against a state (Macedonia) for its involvement in the CIA's extra-ordinary rendition programme was handed down earlier this week. Dr. Bibi van Ginkel analyses the implications of the ECHR judgement.
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The Real Risk of Torture Testimony in Terror Trials: The Case of Abu Qatada
Last week's decision against the extradition of Muslim cleric Abu Qatada in the UK was a controversial one. What does the case mean for evidence obtained by torture, human rights, extradition and anticipatory justice?
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The 22nd of July Trial Reaches its Final Stage
What is the impact of the final verdict in the Anders Behring Breivik trial? How does it affect the coping mechanisms in society and are the goals of criminal justice achieved?
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Al Qaeda Plot in Europe? Intelligence as Evidence in the Düsseldorf Terror Cell Trial
This Commentary discusses the trial against four terror suspects of the so-called Düsseldorf terror cell.
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Blind Spot? Security Narratives and Far-Right Violence in Europe
This Research Paper discusses the challenges of countering far-Right political violence.
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The Anti-Islamist: Anders Behring Breivik's Manifesto
In this Commentary, 2012 Visiting Research Fellow Dr. Arun Kundnani analyses Breivik's ideology as contained in his 1,500-page manifesto, 2083 – A European Declaration of Independence.
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Intelligence Failures in France? The Complex Reality of Information Sharing
In the aftermath of the terrible attacks in Southern France, French intelligence agencies are facing calls for an investigation into alleged intelligence failures.
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Surveillance Cameras against Terrorism: Is More Accountability Required?
Since 9/11 and the London and Madrid bombings a wide variety counter-terrorism measures have been taken, including the implementation of many technical tools.
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Lone Wolves and their Enabling Environment
In this Commentary, Dr. Beatrice de Graaf and Eelco Kessels MA emphasise that, although we might label Anders B. Breivik a lone wolf, he certainly does not perceive himself to be a loner operating in complete isolation.
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A Fair and Public Trial for the Norwegian Terror Suspect
The trial of Anders Behring Breivik posed many questions, one of them being if the hearings should be in public or behind closed doors.
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The Picture of Terrorism in Europe after the Norway Attacks: Terrorist Threat Remains High and Diverse
The incorrect, one-sided and partly over-optimistic picture of "the" terrorist as a Muslim male connected to al Qaeda was smashed to pieces by the deadly attacks in Norway, Prof Dr. Edwin Bakker argues in this Commentary. Terrorism in Europe is – and always has been – a very diverse phenomenon.
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Preventive Counter-Terrorism Measures and Non-Discrimination in the European Union: The Need for Systematic Evaluation
This study briefly discusses the concept of preventive counter‐terrorism, after which it will go on to consider the use of preventive counter‐terrorism measures in the EU as well as their potential discriminatory side‐effects.
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Compatible or Incompatible? Intelligence and Human Rights in Terrorist Trials
This Research Paper focuses on the special procedures of Canada, France, the Netherlands and the UK for the use of intelligence in terrorism-related court cases.
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Kadi-Judgement Revisited: Shaken, not Stirred
In this Commentary, Dr. Bibi van Ginkel analyses the proceedings of the Kadi trial and the impact of the most recent ruling.
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The Dutch Hofstad Group: A Terrorist Organisation after All?
Dr. Quirine Eijkman analyses the retrial and discusses the consequences of the verdict for counter-terrorism measures.
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Legal Reforms and Counter-Terrorism: Without Public Support, Changing the Rules Can Be Costly
In this Commentary, Bart Schuurman argues that legislation specifically designed to address terrorism-related violence is a powerful instrument that governments can use in the struggle against violent extremism.
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The Sting Within; Understanding the Effects of Terror
In a new Commentary, Dr. Mark Dechesne, Senior Researcher at Campus The Hague / Leiden University explores the effects of terrorist attacks. What does terrorism do to people? What happens if people are terrorised?
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Terrorists and the Rule of Law: Member of Hofstad Group Expresses Faith in Dutch Judicial System
This Commentary analyses the recent announcement of a convicted member of the Dutch jihadist Hofstad group, who stated that he from now on accepts the judicial system and is certain that he will receive a fair trial.
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Projects
- Future Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Trends
- Evidence Collected by the Military
- Lone Actor Terrorism: Database
- Protecting Intelligence Sources & Witnesses
- Curriculum Development for the Rule of Law
- Boundaries of the Battlefield
- Terrorists on Trial
Events
- 'Exodus' of European Foreign Fighters to Syria
- The External Dimensions of EU Counter-Terrorism Policy
- Radicalisation, De-Radicalisation and Counter-Radicalisation
- Counter-Terrorism: International Law and Practice
Experts
- Mark Singleton - GCTF Team Leader
- Prof. Dr. Edwin Bakker - Research Fellow
- Dr. Alex P. Schmid - Research Fellow
- Dr. Bibi van Ginkel - Research Fellow
- Dr. Christophe Paulussen - Research Fellow
- Dr. Tinka Veldhuis - Research Fellow
- Daan Weggemans - Research Fellow
- Eva Entenmann LL.M. - Programme Manager
- Wietse van den Berge - Research Fellow
- Jeanine de Roy van Zuijdewijn MA - Research Fellow