Journal for Deradicalization
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Risk Reduction in Terrorism Cases: Sentencing and the Post-Conviction Environment
Get PDFThis article explores existing underpinnings in the United States criminal justice system for post-conviction risk reduction measures in terrorism cases. The purpose of these measures is to reduce the risk of future criminality by those already convicted of violent extremist offenses, thereby protecting public safety while also benefiting individuals and communities. Specifically, integrating specialized risk and needs assessments into terrorism cases at sentencing and during the corrections process constitutes one possible risk reduction measure. When administered to individuals convicted of providing material support or other terrorism-related offenses, rigorous evaluations can supply courts with information significant for sentencing and, when appropriate, structuring individualized rehabilitation approaches. In addition to assessment tools, rehabilitation and reintegration programs constitute potential risk reduction measures. Risk reduction programs would supplement and enhance, not replace, existing correctional methods including incarceration and supervised release. The District of Minnesota federal court is pioneering a program of disengagement and deradicalization for terrorism defendants, and other courts likely will develop similar approaches. However, appropriate judicial bodies have yet to adopt proactive roles in developing national policy guidance in this area. This article aims to further the discussion of reducing recidivism risk in terrorism cases by clarifying the legal and technical issues that would require resolution as prerequisites for the consideration and potential development of post-conviction programming
Perceptions of extremists and deradicalization programs among university students in Kuwait
Get PDFThe increase of terrorism and terrorist organizations such as the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham throughout the Middle East over the past three years have led to an exponential increase in individuals living outside of the Middle East becoming radicalized. These individuals range from children to adults, both male and female. The current study focuses on the process of deradicalization. While a number of studies have begun exploring this issue with regards to the actual process, this study focuses on the perceptions of deradicalization from the public. The study is a mixed-method design with the quantitative portion being a questionnaire about what the students’ perceptions are toward consequences of convicted individuals in relation to extremists. Much research has been done on citizens’ perceptions toward convicted criminals in countries such as the US and the current study seeks to relate those findings, which suggest that there is a highly negative attitude toward convicted criminals, to the attitudes expressed by the university students in Kuwait toward extremists. The qualitative portion of the study involved an open-ended prompt which gave the participants the chance to discuss and describe their thoughts about whether or not a religious extremist could be rehabilitated and deradicalized. The qualitative portion of the study was the primary focus because it is important for program and policy developers associated with deradicalization to understand what the general public perceives regarding the process. The results for the qualitative portion were divided into two main themes: the first being “change is possible” for extremists and the second being “change is not possible” for extremists. However, an interesting find was the third theme that emerged from both of the first two themes, characterized as “all people should be given a second chance.” The current study aims to add to the research gap regarding the public’s perception of deradicalization in the hopes that future work will be conducted in this area.
Parental Influence on Radicalization and De-radicalization according to the Lived Experiences of Former Extremists and their Families
Get PDFEU member-states target families in order to prevent or counter radicalization. However, there is little empirical knowledge to confirm that parents influence the radicalization and de-radicalization process. Because there is little known about the role that parents play in radicalization and de-radicalization, this qualitative study explored the family dynamics in these processes together with 11 former radicals and their families. The study consists of 21 in-depth interviews with Dutch former radicals and their family members and it was found that formers and their families do not recognize a direct influence of parents on radicalization and de-radicalization. However, a more indirect influence seems to be in place: a (problematic) family situation may influence the radicalization process and family support can possibly play a role in de-radicalization. It is also stressed that parents have need for knowledge about the different ideologies and for tools on how to respond to their children’s radicalization. Family support programs could focus on these lacunas in order to help families counter radicalization
Radicalisation: The Last Taboo in Safeguarding and Child Protection? Assessing Practitioner Preparedness in Preventing the Radicalisation of Looked-After Children
Get PDFRadicalisation is fast becoming one of the most acute and pressing safeguarding and child protection issues of the whole century (NSPCC, 2016). However, the issue of looked-after children as potential recruits for extremist groups has been largely overlooked, despite the universal acknowledgement that looked-after children represent the most vulnerable of all demographics within society. This research collected rare and vital primary data by interviewing practitioners within looked-after children’s, residential, and respite services. The study established that practitioners lacked basic awareness of radicalisation and extremism, the Prevent strategy, and the Channel programme. It was discovered that practitioners were unsure of what constitutes the potential indicators of radicalisation, and how and to whom such concerns should be reported. It became apparent that radicalisation as a safeguarding and child protection issue has not been afforded a level of focus adequate and proportionate to the risk posed, and that other issues, namely child sexual exploitation, remain the primary concern in safeguarding contexts
Kāfir Pride: An examination of the recent apparent rise in Australian anti-Islamic activity and the challenges it presents for national security
Get PDFMultiple high-profile instances of anti-Islamic activity in Australia throughout 2015 – for example, the Reclaim Australia rallies in April and July, and the establishment of an anti-Islamic federal political party – is in keeping with increased Islamophobia observed in other western nations. While a key driving force behind this phenomenon is the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, ongoing jihadi violence – particularly atrocities committed by or on behalf of Islamic State –has served to reinforce anti-Islamic sentiment. Although objections to Islam are ostensibly cultural and religious, the prejudiced nature of Islamophobia essentially operates as racism. Emergent discourses about Islamic culture – for example, fears of Sharia law being imposed on western society – have positioned Muslims as an “enemy” who endanger western cultural values, and even present an existential threat. Accordingly, the risk of violence from anti-Islamic elements is not insignificant. To that end, this paper examines the range of security issues arising from Australian Islamophobic activity in two parts. First, it provides historical and cultural context for contemporary Islamophobia, noting the parallels and overlap with similar movements in the West. The primary themes promoted by anti-Islamic groups, and the manner by which they interact with audiences, are also analysed, noting the heavy emphasis on online communication, and how this translates to offline activities. Second, it will examine the types of potential or actual security risks that anti-Islamic activity presents to Australian authorities, describing a spectrum of increasing intensity that incorporates communication, physical violence, radicalisation and terrorism
Individual Disengagement and Deradicalization Pilot Program in Turkey: Methods and Outcomes
Get PDFCounterterrorism strategies that mainly rely on hard power have long been used to defeat terrorism. In recent years, governments have begun incorporating soft power approaches not as a substitute, but as a complementary strategy to be applied alongside hard power approaches. Disengagement and deradicalization programs are important components of soft power approaches, and are regarded as significant contributors to traditional counterterrorism methods. In this paper, we analyze a locally developed counterterrorism program in Turkey, which resulted in the disengagement and deradicalization of hundreds of militants. In this paper we present an examination of a pilot program that focused on applying individual disengagement and deradicalization counterterrorism measures that was conducted by the Adana Police Department in Turkey between 2009 and 2015. This program was designed to reach out to the members of extremist groups and their families for the purpose of persuading them to disengage from their groups, change their radical mindsets, and help them reintegrate into society. We also discuss how the change in the government’s counterterrorism strategy from one which prioritizes the use of soft power approaches to another, which mostly utilizes the hard power approach, and almost completely discards the soft power method, influenced the implementation of the program
Deradicalization: Using Triggers for the Development of a US Program
Get PDFAlthough the United States (US) is leading the fight against transnational terrorism, and the United Nations (UN) has strongly encouraged an interdependent approach, the US still lacks guidance for a coherent US Deradicalization Program. This is of critical concern given that the US recently received its first publicly known US Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant defector, but currently lacks a policy or program to handle this population, outside of standard incarceration. Moreover, this population, along with homegrown extremists and returning fighters from Syria pose the most likely continued jihadi presence in the US. The purpose of this paper is to review successful program options, and establish a basis on which to develop an effective US program. This paper outlines the known triggers for deradicalization, the known characteristics of the US jihadi population and analyzes the most useful deradicalization program components based on successful international models. Using a qualitative, cross-national content analysis of former jihadi personal narratives, international deradicalization program structure evaluations and major research findings, this paper concludes that a standardized UN sponsored program, with comprehensive services which include credible ideological and psychological support, and amnesty incentives tailored to the US jihadi population, would be the most effective way to address former jihadi population needs while enhancing US national security objectives. Key Middle Eastern stakeholders and Western states must cooperatively develop best methodologies for target populations, by leveraging each other’s competencies and capabilities
Westliche Jugendliche im Bann des Islamischen Staates - Radikalisierende Inhalte der IS-Propaganda am Beispiel der Onlinemagazine Dabiq und Rumiyah
Get PDFDer Terrororganisation „Islamischer Staat“ (IS) gelingt es, in großer Zahl westliche Jugendliche zu radikalisieren, die, ob als Einzeltäter oder innerhalb eines Netzwerkes eine potentielle Sicherheitsbedrohung im Inneren westlicher Länder darstellen. Sicherheitsstrategien sollten daher das Phänomen der Radikalisierung Jugendlicher in den eigenen Ländern besonders berücksichtigen. Um auf den IS zugeschnittene Maßnahmen in den Bereichen Prävention, Intervention und Deradikalisierung entwickeln zu können, ist eine umfassende Kenntnis potentiell radikalisierender Motive, die mittels der IS-Propaganda an Jugendliche herangetragen werden, nötig. An dieser Stelle setzt unsere Arbeit an, in der wir das Leitmedium der IS-Propaganda, das Onlinemagazin „Dabiq“, auf radikalisierende Inhalte untersuchen. Aufbauend auf die Arbeiten von Autoren aus der Radikalisierungsforschung nutzen wir ein deduktiv abgeleitetes Kategoriensystem zur Untersuchung der Motive individueller Radikalisierung in der IS-Propaganda. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass „Dabiq“ alle aus der Radikalisierungsforschung bekannten Motive anspricht. Allerdings stellen wir eindeutige Schwerpunktsetzungen fest: Die Motive „Feindbilder“ und „Klares Regelwerk“ sind die zentralen Kategorien, die durchgehend besonders oft auftreten. Die Feindbilder können dabei weiter differenziert werden in (1) den Westen und seine Verbündeten, (2) andere jihadistische Gruppen, (3) andere Religion(sgemeinschaft)en. Zwei Ausgaben weichen von dieser Schwerpunktsetzung ab. In diesen steht die positive Eigendarstellung, einerseits in Form der Betonung der eigenen Errungenschaften, andererseits in Form eines Selbstverständnisses als Avantgarde, im Vordergrund. Darüber hinaus beschreiben wir detailliert die spezifische inhaltliche Ausgestaltung dieser Motive. Ein Vergleich mit dem Magazin Rumiyah setzt unsere Ergebnisse in einen aktuellen Bezug. Mit den Erkenntnissen unserer Arbeit möchten wir Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung von Radikalisierung durch den IS verbessern, indem diese inhaltsspezifisch auf die Motive, die der IS an die Jugendlichen heranträgt, abgestimmt werden können.English Title: Western youths under the spell of the Islamic State - Radicalizing contents of IS propaganda, using the online magazines Dabiq and Rumiyah as examplesEnglish AbstractThe terror organization "Islamic State" (IS) succeeds in radicalizing a large number of Western youths, who, as individual perpetrators or within a network, pose a potential security threat for Western countries. Security strategies should therefore pay particular attention to the phenomenon of radicalization of young people in their own countries. In order to develop IS-tailored measures in the prevention, intervention and deradicalization field, it is necessary to have a comprehensive knowledge of potentially radicalizing motives, which are communicated to young people through IS propaganda. This is where our work starts, in which we examine the leading medium of IS propaganda, the online magazine "Dabiq", for radicalizing content. Based on the work of authors from radicalization research, we use a deductively derived category system to investigate the motives of individual radicalization within IS propaganda. The results show that "Dabiq" addresses all the motives known from radicalization research. However, we have identified clear priorities: the motives "enemy images" and "clear rules and regulations" are the central categories that are frequently encountered throughout. The enemy images can be further differentiated into (1) the West and its allies, (2) other jihadist groups, (3) other religions or communities. Two issues differ from this priority. In these, the focus is on a positive self-representation, on the one hand in the form of stressing one's own achievements, and on the other hand in the form of a self-image as an avant-garde. In addition, we describe in detail the specific content of these motives. A comparison with the Rumiyah magazine puts our results in a current context. With the findings of our work, we want to improve measures to combat radicalization by IS. The article is written in German
Disengaging from Terrorism: A Northern Irish Experience
Get PDFThis article explores the disengagement and deradicalization experiences of Northern Irish loyalist paramilitaries from the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Red Hand Commando (RHC). Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to develop an understanding of how the former combatants interpreted and made sense of their disengagement from violence extremism in Northern Ireland after the Belfast Agreement. The analysis of the interviews focusses around push and pull factors which either promote or hinder their ability to move away from violent extremism. The results find a resonance with recent research exploring disengagement and deradicalization processes with terror groupings across the globe and the ideological spectrum. The findings are discussed in relation to a number of topics, including the role of prison, barriers to disengagement, continued commitment and radicalization after desistence from violent extremism, the role of life changes in promoting disengagement and how organizational pressures contain and influence individual disengagement
Carolin Goerzig. Talking to Terrorists: Concessions and the Renunciation of Violence. Reviewed by: Scott Nicholas Romaniuk
No full text “Talking to terrorists remains a taboo” (Goerzig, 2010: p. 125). The adoption and reinforcement of such a moral position by many Western and non-Western governments alike has played no small role in, to a large extent, states to contain the violence and insecurity bred by terror activist in the post-Cold war and post-9/11 periods. Yet, few policymakers seem to recognize the danger in building political and social environments in which dialogue between states and terrorist groups and organizations is little more than depravity or even a betrayal to entire populations. To be sure, the protection of civilian populations has been entrusted to states that might otherwise learn better means of terrorism deterrence if lines of communication between states and terrorists were less constrained. The taboo of which Carolin Goerzig speaks, is one that “has been institutionalized in a legal framework in which … academics are being asked to report on their students and in which attempting to understand the subjectivities of ‘terrorist’ suspects could be interpreted as a ‘glorification of terrorism’” (Jackson quoted in Goerzig, 2010: p. 125)