Abstract
In the first part of his piece, de Waele goes through the recent history of jihadist activity in Belgium, dealing in particular with the recent homegrown plots and the uptick in activity after 2012. He shows that the radicalisation process can vary markedly between individuals. At the same time, there are shared factors: including the sense of grappling with issues of identity and future prospects. De Waele then sketches out the federal (nationwide) approach in Belgium, spelling out in detail the components (preventing radicalisation, person-centric approaches and reintegration/aftercare). He concludes by offering thoughts on the need to go upstream, and strengthen social cohesion, also highlighting the need for all at the front line (teachers, imams, youth workers) to make connections with those who feel alienated in society.
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Notes
- 1.
Rob De Wijk, the director of the Centre for Strategic studies and expert on the field of international and security affairs, indicated that it was a matter of when it would happen, not if it would happen. Gazet van Antwerpen. 2016. http://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20160322_02196560/expert-de-vraag-was-niet-of-maar-wanneer
- 2.
The Communist Combatant Cells were active in the mid-1980s and were responsible for attacks on the property of the NATO, US, international businesses and the Federation of Belgian Enterprises.
- 3.
Belgium (40/1 mill.), followed by Denmark (27/1 mill.) and Sweden (19/1. mill.).
- 4.
Coolsaet, R. 2016. All radicalisation is local: the genesis and drawbacks of an elusive concept. Egmont Paper, 84.
- 5.
Ibid.
- 6.
Jacques, K., & Taylor, P. J. 2008. Male and female suicide bombers: different sexes, different reasons? Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 31:4: 304–326.
- 7.
Clerix, K. 2016. Databank met Syriëstrijders geeft haar geheimen prijs. Knack, 40–45.
- 8.
Weggemans, Daan, Edwin Bakker and Peter Grol. 2014. Who are they and why do they go? The Radicalisation and Preparatory Processes of Dutch Jihadist Foreign Fighters. Perspectives on Terrorism 8: 4; Coolsaet, Rik. 2015. What drives Europeans to Syria, and to IS? Insights from the Belgian case. Academia Pres.
- 9.
Coolsaet, Rik. 2015. What drives Europeans to Syria, and to IS? Insights from the Belgian case. Academia Press.
- 10.
The LIVC is a multidisciplinary local consultation platform, the applicable guidelines and administrative measures for which are stated in the circular by the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Justice on the information exchange concerning, and monitoring of, foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) from Belgium (21 August 15), which replaces the circular of 25 Sep 14. The purpose of the circular is the protection of public safety from potential threats.
- 11.
Euer, K., van Vossole, A., Groenen, A., & Van Bouchaute, K. 2014. Strengthening Resilience against Violent Radicalisation (STRESAVIORA). Part I: Literature analysis.
- 12.
Clerix, K. 2016. Databank met Syriëstrijders geeft haar geheimen prijs. Knack, 40–45.
- 13.
The LTFs are consultation platforms organised in the context of the federal radicalism plan at district level by the administrative director-coordinator of the federal police, between security services, intelligence services and local prosecutors, on which information is exchanged and a number of people are monitored. Participating services are the State Security Department, the Coordinating Unit for Threat Analysis (OCAD), the General Intelligence and Security Service, and local and federal police. The police chief has an intermediary function between the LTF and the municipality and knows what he may and may not pass on to the local authorities.
- 14.
Carlsson, Y. 2006. Violent Right-wing Extremism in Norway: Community Based Prevention and Intervention. Prevention of Right-Wing Extremism, Xenophobia and Racism in European Perspective. Deutsches Jugendinstitut. 12–29.
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De Waele, M. (2019). Belgium: Preventing Radicalisation on a Local Level and Working for an Inclusive Society. In: Jayakumar, S. (eds) Terrorism, Radicalisation & Countering Violent Extremism. Palgrave Pivot, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1999-0_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1999-0_6
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