'terrorism' - tagged features

Terrorism experts from around the world met for a conference in Stockholm recently. The delegates covered the entire spectrum of counter terrorism from senior soldiers and policemen, intelligence professionals, to diplomats and think-tank experts. They discussed a whole range of issues: How to define the ongoing conflict: is it a war on terror as US President George W. Bush has dubbed it or is it a "global insurgency" ? And how to defeat such an insurgency? 

Is Big Brother watching you? Following the 9/11 attacks in the US, governments across the globe have been tightening security laws, in an effort to better track potential terrorists. Sweden was one of the keener EU member states behind a push to give the police extra powers to gather information on the general public. For many, this isn't a problem. But some worry that our liberty is being eroded too far. 

If you exercise your freedom of speech and in turn inspire extremists to threaten you, should the taxpayer fund your protection? Former Dutch politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali has been living under police protection since the murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh. They made a film together that was critical of Islam's treatment of women. An Islamic extremist murdered Van Gogh on an Amsterdam street 3 years ago – he pinned a note to his body targeting Hirsi Ali by name. She’s now back in Europe after a spell in the US and is faced again with the fear of being targeted by extremists. French Socialists are calling for a special EU fund, saying it’s wrong for critics of Islam to pay for their own protection. 

Rachid Ramda went on trial this week in Paris for allegedly helping to fund a string of deadly terror attacks 12 years ago in the French capital. Prosecutors say the Algerian man was the financier of the 1995 subway bombings that killed eight people and injured 150. Ramda was based in Britain during the attacks, and was arrested soon afterwards at the request of the French authorities. He then spent 10 years in British custody while France and the UK argued over his extradition. 

The call by an Iraqi organization with links to Al Qaida to murder a Swedish artist and the chief editor of a provincial newspaper is still topping the headlines in Sweden. The call came in the wake of the artist's drawing of the Prophet Mohammed as a dog-like figurine decorating a traffic roundabout. Radio Sweden's Mark Cummins and Azariah Kiros compiled this story. 

The European Parliament in Strasbourg has just voted to scrap a ban on taking liquids on board planes, saying that the measure is an expensive mistake and that there's no proof that it helps prevents terrorists attacks on planes. But will the powers-that-be actually lift the ban? Radio Netherlands' Vanessa Mock reports. 

Crackdowns on illegal immigration by Spain meanwhile have reduced the number of migrants coming from Africa. But one sort of immigrant is coming in greater numbers: underage North Africans. Temporary shelters for the young unaccompanied migrants are overflowing and Muslim leaders are warning that they are ripe recruits for Islamic radicals. 

An era came to an end this week in Northern Ireland's troubled history, when the British army ended its long-running operation in the province. The first soldiers were deployed after violent clashes between Catholics and Protestants in 1969. Back then, people thought they would only remain for a few weeks, but what became known as Operation Banner was to be the British army's longest running campaign. And although it was Northern Ireland's catholic minority which originally requested the army's presence, it wasn't long before the troops were not that welcome any longer. 

Governments across Europe know all too well the need to have emergency plans in place to deal with possible terrorist attacks. This week a simulated terrorist attack was held on the Stockholm transport system. But while it might seem like a straightforward measure of prudent preparedness the simulation has unexpectedly sparked a heated discrimination debate. Radio Sweden's Azariah Kiros has more. 

A former member of the left-wing extremist Red Army Faction, which terrorized pre-unification West Germany in the 1970s, is slated for an early release from prison after serving 24 years of a life sentence. But, as DW's Gregg Benzow reports, the German court ruling that Brigitte Mohnhaupt can be let out for good behavior has unleashed a storm of protest across the country. 

George Orwell once lived in Paris, but he may not have had it particularly in mind when he wrote 1984 and created the concept of Big Brother keeping watch over citizens. Today technology is becoming ever more a part of the fabric of ordinary life. At the start of the new school term, the biometrical scanning of pupils’ hand prints as a way of paying for meals has appeared in more school canteens in France. With computers, mobile phones, chip and pin payment systems, not to mention surveillance equipment our movements are being traced and tracked as never before. 

An almost immediate impact of the attacks on the US in 2001 in Britain was a move to bring in legislation giving police wider powers, notably to act on suspicion of terrorist activity. Some see such initatives on the part of the British government as sensible and effective prevention steps. Others have raised concerns over abuse of rights. 

The case of France. Feeling less under threat because seen to be less supportive of the United States than some of its neighbours, France has also seen an array of tough new anti-terror laws. And according to some opinion polls, more people are more wary of their Muslim neighbours in France in the wake of 9/11. 

German’s were shocked to find that those believed to be behind the attacks on the US five years ago, had worked on their plan in one of its own cities. The authorities try to work out how to move forward, to protect themselves and others, while dealing with its particular history, and recent policy of welcoming foreigners. 

Network Europe reporters ask ordinary citizens what they think about how 9/11 has affected their lives. From living in fear to “nothing has changed”, to embracing religion, or embracing the United States, depending on who you are and where you are. 

Polish people feel vulnerable and wonder if they are could be on a terrorist hit-list because they have shown support for the US war on terror. So the level of suspicion is high and tighter anti-terror laws are on the cards. 

In Sweden’s civil liberties take a knock after the authorities take preventive measures against possible terrorist attacks. There’s serious debate about whether it’s necessary to snoop into people’s internet research or phone calls. And self-censorship raises its ugly head. 

Turkey has experienced a week of violence. Last Sunday 4 bombs hit a major tourist resort and Istanbul the country's largest city, injuring 27 people including 10 British tourists. While an explosion in Antayla killed 3 and wounded 2 dozen more. A group fighting for Kurdish rights called the Kurdish Freedoms Falcons claimed responsibility for Sunday's bombing and warned foreign tourists to stay away from Turkey. The attacks have again put the national and international spotlight on the 20-year struggle between Kurdish separatists fighting the Turkish for an independent homeland. Security forces across Turkey are now on high alert following this week's attacks in Istanbul and the coastal resorts of Marmaris and Antalya. 

After last month’s failed bomb attacks on two German trains, German police identified both men with the help of video footage from closed ciruit TV cameras, or CCTV. The two men were caught on video cameras dragging their suitcases containing the bombs through Cologne's central station. The release of the images has prompted a flurry of calls by German politicians for increased video surveillance. For one, Deutsche Bahn, the German railway operator, has announced that it will significantly beef up video surveillance in many of Germany’s train stations.