EU to crackdown on 'indirect incitement' to terrorism

The EU is to propose bans on indirect incitement, glorification or apology for terrorism following bomb attacks in London.

The European Commission and national governments are to consider measures to tackle ‘radicalisation’ this autumn.

Concern has grown over the potential rise of extremism among young Muslim men after it emerged that London suicide bombers were UK-born or British nationals.

New EU measures could see European-wide action to take action against extremist preachers, websites, or others, sending out a public message condoning or apologising for acts of terror.

“Proposals will include the issue of incitement to terrorism,” said an EU official.

“Questions of broader definitions of incitement such as apology or vindication of terrorism will be on the table.”

Measures are likely to build upon proposals already raised at the EU level and among the G5 group of UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

One definition from the non-EU Council of Europe may also find favour in Brussels, say officials close to the drafting process.

“Public provocation to commit an act of terrorism' means… including [a public] message, although not directly advocating such acts, would be reasonably interpreted to have that effect, inter alia, by presenting an act of terrorism as necessary and justified,” states the COE convention on terrorism.

Offences covering indirect incitement or “apologie du terrorisme” already exist in some EU countries – and are set to be proposed in the UK.

European legislation would allow European cooperation to ban or prosecute public speech in one EU country that condones terrorism in another.

The measures could also be used to crackdown on websites inciting, vindicating or apologising for terrorism across Europe.

European moves to outlaw ‘indirect incitement’ are likely to find support from the British EU presidency.

London is to introduce national legislation despite domestic concerns over the impact of such laws on free speech.

UK police minister Hazel Blears explained London’s proposal on July 15 – a loose definition that has sparked criticism from civil liberties campaigners.

“It would apply where people would seek to glorify terrorist activity, perhaps, for example, it’s saying ’it’s a marvellous thing that this has happened, these people are martyrs’ Not a direct incitement to go out and do so but it could be construed by people hearing that as an endorsement of terrorism,” she said.

EU officials stress that European proposals on ‘radicalisation’ will not solely focus on extremist clerics or young Muslims but will also target racists.

“It will target the promotion and use of all violence that attacks European values and rights,” said a source.

“It would target the skinhead outside the mosque not just extremist imams inside. The skinheads outside and imams inside are in a mutually reinforcing process.”

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