Not only more vigilance

Terrorist groups “are becoming more flexible in the management of their own operations” and “are increasingly collaborating at the international level, especially thanks to internet”; “the links between organized crime and terrorism are being reinforced”, says Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol. He’s not the kind of man to mince words or make warnings in vain. And yet in a recent audition to the European Parliament he had raised questions whose burning relevance had perhaps escaped attention at the time but which are now assuming renewed interest, especially after the death of Osama Bin Laden.The physical elimination by US special forces of the world’s most wanted man, who was of Saudi origin, has been hailed throughout the world, and also by the top brass of the European Union, as “an important success of the international community in the fight against terrorists”, and therefore can be regarded as “significant progress towards a more secure world” (Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament). On the other hand, “the international community must continue its efforts to prevent terrorist acts and to bring the perpetrators to justice” (Buzek). So the European Union must continue to work “hand in hand with the USA, our international partners and our friends in the Muslim world, in the fight against the scourge of global extremism” and for the “construction of a world of peace, security and prosperity for everyone” (Herman Van Rompuy and José Barroso, respectively President of the EU Council and Commission).Yet it cannot be denied that Bin Laden’s exit from the world stage has happened at a time when, irrespective of direct terrorist activities, the world is in ferment, sometimes with positive prospects of freedom and democracy, in other cases with dangerous signals of freedom-crushing reaction. Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Bahrein, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea and even the Holy Land, the Balkans and part of Eastern Europe, are the countries or geographic areas in which democratic stability, peace, social justice, and economic development are still a mirage. In particular, in Europe the tensions of nationalist, populist or xenophobic character are inflaming the risks of political and social conflict. What would happen if these tensions should be combined with those of extremist and violent splinter groups, capable of passing from words to actions, from threats to brute force, and ready to stop at nothing to gain acceptance for their views? Wainwright warned: “Ten years after the terror attacks of 11 September, terrorism continues to represent a threat for Europe and its citizens”. The Director of Europol warned of the “connection between terrorism, organized criminality and drug trafficking” and “the growing use of internet as a means of recruitment”; nor did he fail to cite some other phenomena present in the old continent such as “separatism”, terrorism of Islamic stamp, the links with South American drug-trafficking, and the violence of some pseudo-political movements. He also underlined the fact that “the present migratory influx from North Africa offers new opportunities to organized criminal groups” and that “the economic recession has led to social tensions in some member states, thus fomenting the conditions for terrorism and extremism”.Of course the head of Europol also underlines the urgent need to reinforce measures of prevention and collaboration between the judiciary and police forces in the various countries. It seems equally self-evident that a response needs to be found that is wider and deeper in scope, and that must involve the political, economic and social levels, international relations and – further upstream – culture, education, the protection of rights and fundamental civil liberties, acceptance of those with different origins, cultures and religions, respect for diversity, and the promotion of positive attitudes able to construct a peaceful and inclusive coexistence. The real alternative to violence and terrorism is probably born from this long process.