Terrorist Screening and Interdiction Programmes (TSI)
TSI programme disrupt terrorist networks through initiatives that enhance U.S. and our foreign partners’ ability to detect terrorists and secure borders. Bilateral terrorism screening information sharing agreements, negotiated pursuant to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 6 (HSPD-6), strengthen our screening capabilities, while the Terrorist Interdiction Programme (TIP)/Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES) provides partner countries border security assistance to identify, disrupt, and deter terrorist travel.
Trans-Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP)
Established in 2005, the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) is a multifaceted, multi-year strategy implemented jointly by the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Department of Defence to assist partners in West and North Africa increase their immediate and long-term capabilities to address terrorist threats and prevent the spread of violent extremism. Areas of support include: 1. Enabling and enhancing the capacity of North and West African militaries and law enforcement to conduct counterterrorism operations; 2. Integrating the ability of North and West African militaries and law enforcement, and other supporting partners, to operate regionally and collaboratively on counterterrorism efforts; 3. Enhancing border security capacity to monitor, restrain, and interdict terrorist movements; 4. Strengthening the rule of law, including access to justice, and law enforcement’s ability to detect, disrupt, respond to, investigate, and prosecute terrorist activity; 5. Monitoring and countering the financing of terrorism (such as that related to kidnapping for ransom); and 6. Reducing the limited sympathy and support among communities for violent extremism. TSCTP partners include Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia. In addition to training and equipping security forces to more effectively combat terrorist threats, TSCTP targets groups in isolated or neglected regions who are most vulnerable to extremist ideologies by supporting youth employment, strengthening local governance capacity to provide development infrastructure, and improving health and educational services.
Partnership for Regional East Africa Counterterrorism (PREACT)
First established in 2009, the Partnership for Regional East Africa Counterterrorism (PREACT), is a U.S.-funded and implemented multi-year, multi-faceted programme designed to build the capacity and cooperation of military, law enforcement, and civilian actors across East Africa to counter terrorism in a comprehensive fashion. It uses law enforcement, military, and development resources to achieve its strategic objectives, including: 1. Reducing the operational capacity of terrorist networks; 2. Developing a rule of law framework for countering terrorism in partner nations; 3. Enhancing border security; 4. Countering the financing of terrorism; and 5. Reducing the appeal of radicalization and recruitment to violent extremism. Active PREACT partners include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Burundi, Comoros, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Sudan, and Sudan are also members of PREACT.
USAID Policy: The Development Response to Violent Extremism and Insurgency
This policy on The Development Response to Violent Extremism and Insurgency is the first of its kind produced by USAID. Its purpose is to provide a policy framework that USAID can use to improve the effectiveness of its development tools in responding to violent extremism and insurgency, as well as its capacity to interact constructively with its interagency and other partners in these challenging environments. The policy will also help USAID focus more tightly on capacity building and sustainability which are critical to our long-¬term security and development goals. The policy defines terms necessary for a shared understanding within USAID of these challenges and differentiates at a general level between a development response to violent extremism and a development response to insurgency. At the same time, it acknowledges that each situation is different and that these terms and the development response will need to be defined and understood in their particular context and guided by U.S. foreign policy. Building on a growing knowledge base, the policy identifies those factors, or drivers, that can favour the rise of violent extremism or insurgency as well as those that can influence the radicalization of individuals. Broadly speaking, these include structural “push” factors, including high levels of social marginalization and fragmentation; poorly governed or ungoverned areas; government repression and human rights violations; endemic corruption and elite impunity; and cultural threat perceptions. Simultaneously, “pull” factors that have a direct influence on individual level radicalization and recruitment include access to material resources, social status and respect from peers; a sense of belonging, adventure, and self-¬esteem or personal empowerment that individuals and groups that have long viewed themselves as victimized and marginalized can derive from the feeling that they are making history; and the prospect of achieving glory and fame. The policy identifies what USAID has learned strategically and programmatically about the role of development assistance to counter these drivers and affect a country’s development. Specifically, the policy directs the Agency to: (1) Consider key engagement criteria at the earliest stage of programme development, recognizing that the development response is part of a broader USG effort. These criteria include: 1. an assessment of the drivers of violent extremism and insurgency, host country (government and population) commitment, and potential development responses; 2. a determination of an appropriate and critical role for development assistance; 3. a determination that an adequate level of security exists to permit implementing partners to operate and communicate with USAID; 4. identification of risks to the Agency, our partners and related development investments, as well as a plan to mitigate risk; and, 5. consideration of programme, management, and resource plans. (2) Apply a core body of programme principles at all stages of the programme cycle. The following principles will guide USAID’s design and implementation of development programming targeted at violent extremism and insurgency. These are informed by our knowledge base as well as USAID’s broader stabilization experience. For Analysis, Planning, and Design 1. Focus on the drivers of violent extremism and insurgency. USAID will identify and prioritize drivers, set clear objectives, design a focused set of interventions, and systematically evaluate related measures of progress and impact. 2. Promote inclusive country ownership. USAID will engage a wide range of country stakeholders committed to addressing these issues. 3. Exercise selectivity. USAID will invest where it can achieve the greatest impact, avoid programmes that could have a destabilizing effect, and target resources demographically, sectorally, and geographically. 4. Take a coordinated and integrated approach. In close coordination with interagency and other partners, USAID will coordinate and integrate such programmes with other assistance efforts. 5. Tailor and coordinate communications. USAID will effectively communicate local ownership and partnership to achieve programme objectives. 6. Think locally and bring an entrepreneurial approach. USAID will specifically tailor programming to the local environment, scale up successful approaches, and discontinue ineffective investments. 7. Consider transnational strategies. USAID will take advantage of appropriate opportunities for cross-¬border or regional programming and coordination, as the dynamics driving extremism and insurgency often cross national boundaries.
CVE Intervention Programmes in Canada
In Canada, there are a number of organisations that offer interventions to counter radicalization to violence. While each programme is slightly different, their interventions are very similar. Most interventions are led by health or social service professionals who address the needs and vulnerabilities of the individual. Depending on the complexity of case, some interventions can involve professionals from various disciplines, such as health, employment, housing, policing, law, mental health, education, and child welfare services. 1. ReDirect ReDirect is a programme that works to prevent Calgary youth and young adults from being radicalized to violence through education, awareness, prevention and intervention. Its approach was developed based on extensive research, best practices, and consultations with community groups, enforcement agencies and international experts. The information gathered was then used to create a programme tailored for Calgary. ReDirect is being implemented through a partnership between The City of Calgary Community & Neighbourhood Services, the Calgary Police Service and other professional partners. Its work started as an extension of other programmes in Calgary where police partner with other agencies to educate youth, support youth who need help dealing with a tough family or school life, and try to address factors that put youth on harmful paths in the first place. The programme has a variety of strategies that can be applied to help young people vulnerable to being radicalised. These strategies range from simply educating individuals on the dangers of radicalisation all the way up to helping people exit radical groups. The goal of all these strategies is to keep individuals out of the formal justice system by treating the underlying causes of their turn to criminal behaviour. Multi-Agency Approach ReDirect is organized as a multi-agency panel divided into three groups. This organization allows information to be shared between the partner agencies while respecting the confidentiality and privacy of the youth. It also allows us to engage the community in the success of the program. The three smaller groups of the multi-agency panel are: 1. Case Planning Team • This team is made up of representatives from different public and private organizations that come together to develop individualized support plans for the young people we work with, and then regularly review and assess the plan. Each member of this team then helps the individual get access to the support they need from the partner organizations. 2. Community Advisory Committee • This committee includes a broad cross section of community leaders and organizations. Its function is to facilitate communication between us and the various communities in Calgary. This committee also helps us build relationships where we can educate people on radicalization and ensure that vulnerable young people get support from others in all walks of their life. Through conversations with this committee, we also can discuss challenges faced by the ReDirect programme and get their guidance on how to overcome them. This provides an additional layer of accountability to citizens. 3. Strategic Committee • This committee is made up of management from the partner agencies. The function of this committee is to provide oversight and governance to ReDirect, and ensure that the programme is responsive to anything raised by the Community Advisory Committee. 2. Ottawa MERIT (Multiagency Early Risk Intervention Tables) This programme is an initiative led by the Ottawa Police Service that aims to reduce crime, victimization and improve community safety and well-being. MERIT follows a “situation table” model, which enables local agencies with different mandates, such as health, employment, housing, legal, mental health, education, and child welfare services, to mobilize and respond when individuals have complex health and social problems, including cases of radicalization to violence.
AUS Community Programs
The Australian Government has invested heavily in work that helps prevent violent extremism and supports building strong, resilient communities. COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES Building resilience to violent extremism is a long-term challenge that requires the combined efforts of governments and communities. One of the best methods to build resilience is through education and awareness. The Australian Government has worked with state and territory governments, and non-government organisations to develop a range of information and training materials, including: 1. Community Awareness Training which provides information on how to recognise anti-social behaviours (including radicalisation to violent extremism) and provides prevention strategies and guidance on where to go for support. 2. Radicalisation Awareness Kit which was designed to help Australians understand violent extremism and how to respond to it. 3. Information and training for frontline officials which includes tailored CVE awareness training materials that have been developed for school leadership teams, health professionals, police, prison staff, and other front line officials to ensure they can recognise early warning signs and provide appropriate forms of support, including referring at-risk individuals to intervention services where appropriate.
Living Safe Together
The Living Safe Together Intervention Programme ensures that Australian State and Territory agencies have the capacity to identify, assess and deliver individualised plans for people who are at risk of becoming involved with violent extremism, to reconnect them with their family, friends and local communities. There is a CVE Intervention Coordinator in every State and Territory of Australia. The Intervention Coordinators help to make sure that people are properly assessed so that we understand how to best support that individual. The assessment considers the individual and asks: how did they get to this point? What might help them to channel their energies in a more positive direction? What kinds of services, role models and relationships could assist them? Depending on the needs that are identified in the assessment, the Intervention Coordinator will connect the individual with relevant services such as mentoring and coaching, counselling, or education. Individuals are regularly reviewed to assess progress.
Rehabilitation Program
Rehabilitating individuals who have already engaged in violent extremism reduces the risk of future violence. Australia has a small but increasing number of terrorism offenders and a small cohort of other offenders who may be engaged with violent extremist ideologies. Working on rehabilitation may also reduce the likelihood that such individuals, including convicted terrorists, will influence others to be involved with violent extremism. The Australian Government is working together with State and Territory Governments to deliver programmes that manage and rehabilitate high-risk offenders. Our goal is to help them successfully reintegrate into society where possible. The Australian Government is also taking a number of steps to manage terrorist offenders who have not rehabilitated. An offender can be detained after their sentence has ended if a court determines that they continue to pose an unacceptable risk to the community.
Street Teams
Street Teams is a project based in Walsall that predominately works with young people who are at risk or labelled as vulnerable to being targeted by extremist organisations. As part of Keep Safe, a multi-faceted prevention programme Street Teams aims to raise awareness of the factors that can make young people at risk through the educational sector. The programme involves community outreach work, workshops and alternative learning schemes, education and training programmes within schools, education and health professionals, and specialist work with young people deemed as high risk. The project largely cooperates with the educational sector, and works with pupils in a series of sessions covered within the Education and Prevention Project. The aim is to raise awareness of all types of exploitation and reassure students/pupils of the support and advice available: • Internet safety: teaching pupils in the age of social media how to safeguard themselves online, and recognise 'risky' actions that could increase their vulnerability online. • Raising awareness for County lines and criminal exploitation • Media pressures: highlights the role of the media in reinforcing negative stereotypes, and more recently its influence in manifesting the rise of 'islamophobia' cases in the UK. It teaches young people how to recognise the patterns of media coverage and how negative thoughts accumulated as a result can be managed.
Victim Support
Victim Support is an independent charity funded by the UK Government which provides support to victims of crime and strives for societal changes to understanding and respecting victims. They help to develop the strength and feeling of safety within victims to help them move forwards beyond the crime and its effects. Within their support the charity covers terrorism and the impact the crimes can have on victims and wider families. The support given covers victims of both national and international terrorist attacks such as the Barcelona Las Ramblas Attack. The aid provided by Victim Support Includes: Help and support Falling under this category is: • Helping victims to understand their options after an attack: The charity has a helpline which allows victims to discuss their experiences with experts, get support with the reporting of a crime and understanding of what compensation is provided to victims. • The different ways crime can affect victims and the methods that can be used to help cope: This section covers three pillars of victimology: health, media and housing. Victim Support recognises and discusses with victims the mental and physical impact that crimes can endure the role of the media in highlighting victims and spreading occasionally false information about their experiences, and how victims can take steps to feel safer in their homes. • The rights available to victims: This includes information on the Victims Code, restorative justice and Victim Personal Statements. Within this category is information that aids victim's understandings of the restorative justice system, the rights of witnesses, victim personal statements and how collectively these coincide with the criminal justice system. • Working with young victims of crime: Victim Support acknowledges the prolonged effects that can occur to young victims of crime. The webpage introduces the charities 'You & Co' project, which strives to support young people affected by crime and provides educational information for parents, teachers and professionals. • Keeping safe: The charity educates victims of crime on how to safeguard themselves online, when doing simple chores and at home.
CONTEST
As a national strive to counter the threat from terrorism, the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism in the Home Office developed the Government funded counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. The Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) emphasises the need to tackle the root causes of instability, which has been reflected in CONTEST. This programme addresses not only the immediate threat of attacks but the long term factors which enable terrorist groups to grow and flourish. The UK Government acknowledges that certain factors that fall under these categories cannot be addressed with CONTEST, and therefore are much wider Governmental priorities. To tackle this issue the coordination between CONTEST and other Government programmes has be highlighted as essential. CONTEST will reflect the UK's fundamental values and, in particular, their commitment not only to protect the people of this country and our interests overseas but to do so in a way that is consistent with and indeed advances their commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The CONTEST programme is divided into four spheres pursue, prevent, protect and prepare.
Pursue (CONTEST)
The aim of Pursue is to stop terrorist attacks in the UK and against UK interests overseas. This involves detecting and investigating threats at the infant stages, disrupting terrorist activity before it becomes a risk to society and where possible severely prosecuting those responsible (and deporting foreign nationals). To achieve this Government has granted police and security agencies with additional powers to protect the public, whilst ensuring they continue to preserve fundamental UK values.