Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has broadly welcomed proposals approved by MEPs this week to tackle radicalisation and recruitment by terrorist organisations.
Only a small minority of MEPs voted against the report, including Sinn Fein representatives.
Mr Nicholson said:
"National governments need to tackle the issues of radicalisation and extremism head on. I am glad that the European Parliament has this week backed recommendations aimed at tackling radicalisation and recruitment by terrorist organisations.
“However, I was shocked but not surprised to see that not only did Sinn Fein vote against the report as a whole, they had actually tabled amendments that seemed to blame terrorism on austerity and Western foreign policy.
“Let me be very clear: nothing excuses terrorism. The only people to blame for terrorist attacks are the terrorists themselves. It cannot ever be justified.
“I agree that given the serious threat ISIS pose to our citizens, lawmakers across the political spectrum need to come together to tackle these serious issues. With that in mind I was disappointed to see Sinn Fein MEPs vote against amendments that called for a clampdown on extremist social media activity including content praising terrorism.
“Actions speak louder than words. MEPs should be standing united in opposition to all terrorist organisations, and support measures which clamp down on the dissemination of their hateful ideologies.”
Notes: below is the text of amendments tabled by Sinn Fein and colleagues to the European Parliament’s report on “Prevention of radicalisation and recruitment of European citizens by terrorist organisations”.
Amendment 19
Barbara Spinelli, Curzio Maltese, Kostas Chrysogonos, Matt Carthy, Sofia Sakorafa, Patrick Le Hyaric, Stelios Kouloglou, Kateřina Konečná, Jiří Maštálka, Lola Sánchez Caldentey, Estefanía Torres Martínez, Tania González Peñas, Kostadinka Kuneva, Martina Anderson, Malin Björk
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
|
Fa. whereas discrimination and restrictions on the freedoms and rights of individuals, as well as marginalisation and dereliction, are some of the root causes of disaffection and disempowerment of many young people living in suburbs, and whereas these suburban areas have suffered severe cuts to funds allocated to community-based work; |
Amendment 24
Barbara Spinelli, Curzio Maltese, Matt Carthy, Sofia Sakorafa, Patrick Le Hyaric, Stelios Kouloglou, Kateřina Konečná, Marina Albiol Guzmán, Jiří Maštálka, Lola Sánchez Caldentey, Estefanía Torres Martínez, Tania González Peñas, Kostadinka Kuneva, Martina Anderson, Malin Björk
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
2a. Is highly critical of the role that the various Western interventions of recent years have played in fostering the radicalisation of individuals, especially in Afghanistan, the Middle East and southern neighbourhood countries; stresses that such policies are promoting, not countering, terrorism;
The below amendment was opposed by Sinn Fein MEPs:
Amendment 36
14. Recalls that internet and social media companies and service providers have a legal responsibility to cooperate with Member State authorities by deleting any illegal content that spreads violent extremism, expeditiously and with full respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights, including freedom of expression; believes that Member States should consider legal actions, including criminal prosecutions, against internet and social media companies and service providers which refuse to comply with an administrative or judicial request to delete illegal content or content praising terrorism on their internet platforms; believes that refusal or deliberate failure by internet platforms to cooperate, thus allowing such illegal content to circulate, should be considered an act of complicity that can be equated to criminal intent or neglect and that those responsible should in such cases be brought to justice;