EU calls for stronger response to extremism
The European Union’s executive arm is calling for stronger,coordinated action to combat what it calls the rising threat of violent political extremism in Europe.
EU home affairs commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said Wednesday too few EU member countries are facing up to the threat.
She says the bloc needs “strong, preventive measures to counter extremism in all its forms.”
Malmstrom and other EU commissioners want the European Union and its 28 member states to act in 10 areas. Among them: creation of an EU-wide «knowledge hub» to share best practices on dealing with political extremism, support for «exit strategies» to help people leave potentially violent groups, and using the Internet to fight extremist propaganda.
The commission says it’s willing to spend up to 20 million euros ($27 million) on the program. [AP]