Assessing Europe’s response to the Paris attacks

In February 2015, one month after the worst terrorist attack in Europe since Anders Breivik’s murder of 77 people in Norway, the contours of the response are becoming clear. Three areas stand out – new counterterrorism laws and policies; the related, though distinct, efforts to curb radicalisation and recruitment into terrorism, and a focus on tackling rising anti-Semitism.

While each area is legitimate, an examination of the details reveals troubling patterns and problematic gaps. To make these responses truly effective and consistent with human rights, more work and reflection is needed.

Benjamin Ward is deputy Europe and central Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

• Primary Source

Human Rights Watch: Europe / Central Asia http://www.hrw.org/europe/central-asia

ESO: Background information: Reaction to the Paris attacks [Charlie Hebdo, January 2015] http://www.europeansources.info/record/reaction-to-the-paris-attacks/

ESO: Background information: International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-high-representative-vice-president-federica-mogherini-on-the-international-holocaust-remembrance-day/

ESO: Background Information: Council conclusions on counter-terrorism http://www.europeansources.info/record/council-conclusions-on-counter-terrorism/

ESO: Background information: Fighting terrorism at EU level, an overview of Commission's actions, measures and initiatives http://www.europeansources.info/record/fighting-terrorism-at-eu-level-an-overview-of-commissions-actions-measures-and-initiatives/

openDemocracy: Tag: Charlie Hebdo https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/charlie-hebdo

openDemocracy: Can Europe Make It?, 11.02.15: Will the democratic debate over counterrorism gain the edge in battle? https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/amandine-scherrer-didier-bigo/will-democratic-debate-over-counterrorism-gain-edge

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