Identify, Understand and Respond to Extremist Radicalization of Students. Craig Paynton, CHPA

Transcription

1 Craig Paynton, CHPA 1

2 Terminology UNESCO s Preventing violent extremism through Education A guide for policy-makers Extremism Literally, extremism means the belief in and support for ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable. Extremism thus refers to attitudes or behaviours that are deemed outside the norm. This basic dictionary understanding highlights the inherently subjective nature of the term, which can take on different meanings depending on who defines the norm and decides what is acceptable or not accordingly. Violent extremism There is no internationally agreed-upon definition of violent extremism13. The most common understanding of the term which is applied in this Guide is that it refers to the beliefs and actions of people who support or use violence to achieve ideological, religious or political goals14. This includes terrorism and other forms of politically motivated and sectarian violence. Typically, violent extremism also identifies an enemy, or enemies, who are the object of hatred and violence. The conceptual core of violent extremism is that it is an ideologically motivated resort to the use of violence, commonly based on conspiracy theories. 2

3 Terminology UNESCO s Preventing violent extremism through Education A guide for policy-makers Terrorism Terrorism refers to a particular strategy adopted to achieve a political goal, which is singularly the deliberate creation and exploitation of fear. In a landmark UN General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/64/297), countries strongly and unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes, as it constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security 15. This Guide does not cover the broad range of activities that could be included in the understanding of terrorism. It is limited rather to addressing the ideologically motivated use of violence. The terms violent extremism and terrorism are often mistakenly used interchangeably. While terrorism is a form of violent extremism, and terrorism is also often motivated ideologically, the conceptual underpinning of terrorism that distinguishes it from violent extremism is the creation of fear or terror as a means to an end. 3

4 Terminology UNESCO s Preventing violent extremism through Education A guide for policy-makers Radicalization As with the term extremism, the term radicalization is highly debated when used in the context of violent extremism. The concern is that the use of the term may serve to justify limitations to the freedom of speech. Indeed, radical can be defined in varying ways depending on circumstance. In certain contexts, it can simply mean wanting to cause political change. In the context of efforts to prevent violent extremism, radicalization is commonly used to describe the processes by which a person adopts extreme views or practices to the point of legitimizing the use of violence. The key notion here is the process of embracing violence. If one wishes to point to the process by which one becomes a violent extremist, the expression radicalization leading to violence will be more appropriate than violent extremism, which focuses on the ideologically motivated resort to violence. 4

5 Martin was like any other boy: he liked having fun, he loved life. Constantly on the Internet, he was unfortunately manipulated and influenced at a time when he was vulnerable. His behaviour changed completely and he started seeing conspiracies everywhere. I tried to find help for him, but he was too deeply radicalized. He did the unspeakable in the fall of How I wish he was still with us and that none of this had ever happened. Gilles Rouleau Father of Martin Couture-Rouleau, 25, who carried out the 2014 attack in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu 5

6 The 2014 Saint Jean sur Richelieu ramming attack was a terror car ramming that occurred in Quebec on October 20, Two Canadian Forces members were hit by a lone wolf terrorist, Martin Couture-Rouleau. Warrant officer Patrice Vincent died from injuries, while another soldier was injured, but survived. The RCMP and the Government of Canada has characterized the homicide as a terrorist act by an ISIL-inspired terrorist. 6

7 Who is Martin Couture-Rouleau? CBC News Mark Gollom and Tracey Lindeman 'Seems to be a lone wolf' Dave Charland, a former intelligence officer with CSIS, said from the information he's gleaned so far about Couture-Rouleau, he believes Couture-Rouleau "seems to be a lone wolf" in part because of the lack of sophistication of the attack. "Based on what's public right now, I don't think he had any links with any groups but clearly he had an extremist ideology. So he must have influences." 7

8 A lone wolf, lone-wolf terrorist or lone actor is someone who prepares and commits violent acts alone, outside of any command structure and without material assistance from any group. However, he or she may be influenced or motivated by the ideology and beliefs of an external group, and may act in support of such a group. Observers note the attacks are a relatively rare type of terrorist attack but have been increasing in number, and that it is sometimes difficult to tell whether an actor has received outside help and what appears to be a lone wolf attack may actually have been carefully orchestrated from outside. 8

9 Extremism and University Campuses While there is no single pathway to terrorism, there are traits, places, and circumstances that have been linked to increased vulnerability to radicalization. Universities are one such place. Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 9

10 A number of changes occur when a young person enters University which can potentially lead to increased vulnerability of radicalization. These changes can be organized into three main categories. Personal Factors Students are at a point where they are just beginning to form their own identities They are away from home for the first time, thus they may be feeling lost in a new setting and in a time of increased impressionability Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 10

11 Situational Factors Universities are often viewed by students as places of different, and new ideas. Thus, students are presented with a vast array of ideologies to explore as they are developing their own identity Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 11

12 Interpersonal Factors In Particular, socialization and intensive interaction often perceived as critical to the adoption of extreme views and subsequent radicalization Seek to make new friends, experience heightened personal contact and form bonds with individuals they view as like-minded While the friend making process in University is normal, these close bonds open individuals up to the potentially more extremist ideologies of those with whom they have formed close personal connections Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 12

13 The exploration of universities as places of heightened vulnerability to recruitment to extremism may be relatively new, but radical ideas being part of the university experience is not a new concept. Early examples, such as the violent anti-semitic riots at Michigan State College in 1935 (Fermaglich 2004) and the revolutionary student political groups at the University of Malaya in the 1940s and 1950s (Wah 1992), demonstrate that universities around the world have historically been places of protest and radical thinking. Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 13

14 There is some evidence to suggest an association between university campuses, student organizations, and Canadians involved in violent extremism or linked to violent extremist groups. In particular, multiple individuals that participate in Muslim Student Associations at universities and colleges across Canada have participated in terrorism or been charged in terrorism-related offences (Daly 2015). For instance: Three students linked with the Muslim Student Association at the University of Sherbrooke in Sherbrooke, Quebec were suspected of joining ISIS in 2014; one of the Via Rail bomb plotters was also a member of this association (Joncas, Seguin and McIntosh 2014). Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 14

15 John Maguire, who joined and filmed a popular video for ISIS, was associated with the Muslim Students Association at the University of Ottawa, in Ottawa, Canada (Duffy and Hurley 2005). Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 15

16 16

17 A number of students associated with the Muslim Student Association at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario have been charged with terrorism offences, including facilitating the travel of others to Syria to join ISIS (Bell, 2015; CBC News, 2015; Duff y, 2015). While these and other recent examples are dominated by links to ISIS, links between student associations and other violent organizations also exist. One such example is a former University of Waterloo student who was president of the university Tamil Student Association and has since been convicted of terrorism offences (Bell 2013). Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 17

18 UNESCO s Preventing violent extremism through Education A guide for policymakers Pull Factors (Individual motivations) Individual backgrounds (existential and spiritual search for identity and purpose, utopian world vision, boredom, adolescent crisis, sense of mission and heroism, a promise of adventure and power, attraction of violence, etc.) Push Factors (Conditions that are conducive) Lack of socioeconomic opportunities (poverty, unemployment, corruption, etc.) 18

19 UNESCO s Preventing violent extremism through Education A guide for policymakers Pull Factors (Individual motivations) Identification with collective grievances and narratives of victimization that provoke powerful emotional reactions, which can be manipulated by charismatic leaders Push Factors (Conditions that are conducive) Marginalization, injustices and discrimination (including experience of exclusion and injustice, stigmatization, humiliation) Distortion and misuse of beliefs, political ideologies and ethnic and cultural differences (the attraction of simple world views that divide the world into us versus them, etc.) Poor governance, violations of human rights and the rule of law (lack of experience in/exposure to processes of dialogue and debate, a culture of impunity for unlawful behaviour, violations of international human rights law committed in the name of state security, lack of means to make voices heard or vent frustrations, etc.) 19

20 UNESCO s Preventing violent extremism through Education A guide for policymakers Pull Factors (Individual motivations) Attraction of charismatic leadership and social communities and networks (i.e. charismatic recruiter providing access to power and money, a sense of belonging to a powerful group/community, etc.) Push Factors (Conditions that are conducive) Prolonged and unresolved conflicts Radicalization processes in prisons leading to the legitimization of violence Etc. 20

21 UNESCO s Preventing violent extremism through Education A guide for policymakers Pathways There is no formula or prescription of push and pull factors that produce a violent extremist, nor do these factors remain static throughout the different stages of a person s life. A person s vulnerability to violent extremism can change over time and vary depending on circumstances. Accordingly, there is no standard pathway of radicalization leading to violence. It is therefore not only difficult but futile to also try to determine a fixed set of standard profiles of violent extremists. 21

22 UNESCO s Preventing violent extremism through Education A guide for policymakers Indicators and signs of radicalization leading to violence include specific behaviours or attitudes that, combined in an individual, could indicate the person is on a path to violence. These signs can be, for example, vehement references to injustice or grievances, manifestations of being psychologically manipulated, a sudden quest for identity or group belonging, the expression of polarized views, a rupture with family members and friends, an identification with a group or an ideology requiring a change in clothing and daily habits, the demonstration of attitudes that justify the use of harmful means to achieve an end, etc.) 22

23 Kamran Bhatti, seen here talking to a group of youths outside the Muslim Association of Hamilton, is helping to facilitate a forum between Muslim youth and federal public safety officials to discuss ways to prevent radicalization 23

24 radicals: The four types of youth attracted to extremism CTV News Angela Mulholland Staff Writer A volunteer outreach worker (Kamran Bhatti) who aims to keep young people away from the allure of radicalization says there are essentially four types of youth who turn to religious extremism. 1) The mentally ill - The first category includes is people with mental health or addiction issues who become obsessed with Islam. This group would include Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, the man who shot a soldier on the steps of the Canadian War Memorial in Ottawa and then stormed the Parliament buildings. Bhatti says such individuals often need more that what his program can offer; they need to be treated by health care professionals. 2) 2) The "flavour of the month" extremist - The second category comprises people who are drawn to extremism of any form. These people are often former anarchists, neo-nazis, or environmentalist extremists, who are concerned with fighting the power whatever that power might be. Bhatti says these people often try to convert to Islam because it's the new "flavour of the month." Typically, these youth lose interest in Islam after a little while and move on quickly. 24

25 Identifying radicals: The four types of youth attracted to extremism CTV News Angela Mulholland Staff Writer 3) The religious zealot - The third type is the religious zealot who believes that jihadism is required by their faith, and that they may need to die for their cause. Bhatti says these people have been more or less brainwashed and have adopted an us vs. them mentality. These youth are usually the farthest down the road to radicalization. "For individuals like this, there is often nothing we can do and we require RCMP and law enforcement to do their jobs," says Bhatti. 4) The disgruntled youth - The fourth type is one that Bhatti most commonly deals with: youth who are frustrated with society and have an axe to grind. These kids are often immigrants who aren t adapting to their new culture well, who have an employment grievance, or who are upset over something going on at home. These kids often become focused on injustices in the world in places such as Syria or Israel and begin to believe that violence is the best response, he says. 25

26 Identifying radicals: The four types of youth attracted to extremism CTV News Angela Mulholland Staff Writer Bhatti says his program encourages these youth to channel their anger into creating change in their own communities. "What we do with youth like that is we acknowledge that these grievances are valid. But what we try to steer them toward is the positive way to express that grievance. It's not through violence," he says. The NASR program offers training on how to lobby government agencies for specific change and how to put across a positive message through the media. The program's service model includes doing volunteer work, such as working for food pantries, handing out winter clothes to the homeless, and collecting food donations during Ramadan to give to the needy. "The idea is we train them with practical life skills, plus we'll give them the opportunity to offer service and to have ownership of their community," says Bhatti. 26

27 The universities are not seen as complicit in the radicalization of students, but they are viewed as places that can and should be both preventing and identifying radicalization at its earliest stages. In line with this view, legislation (UK) was enacted in September 2015 outlining new counter-terrorism duties for universities, known as the Prevent duties. Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 27

28 Prevent Duties (UK) Providing appropriate awareness training for staff to enable them to carry out their Prevent-related duties. This includes recognizing vulnerabilities to radicalization, challenging extremist ideas, and being aware of actions that may need to be taken in response to extremism, such as referrals to counter-terrorism authorities; Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 28

29 Prevent Duties (UK) Recognizing changes in behavior of students that may signal a shift to extremist ideas and ensuring appropriate responses. People suspected of being involved in violent extremism must be reported to the police; Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 29

30 Prevent Duties (UK) Preventing campus spaces from being used to encourage terrorism or for supporting terrorist organizations; Having robust information sharing policies that allow information to be shared both internally and externally when deemed appropriate; Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 30

31 Prevent Duties (UK) Providing sufficient chaplaincy and pastoral care support for all students, including making sure there are clear policies on how faithbased spaces may be used; Creating clear policies to be followed by all students and academics conducting research on security-sensitive or extremism-related research topics; Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 31

32 Prevent Duties (UK) Establishing policies for use of information technology on campuses, including the use of filters to restrict access to extremist content and monitoring to determine when attempts are made to access extremist content (for non-research purposes); Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 32

33 Prevent Duties (UK) Preventing gender-based segregation on campuses; and, Setting clear policies for the types of activities that are permissible on campuses including policies for the management of events, approval of speakers and event space bookings, and determining the risk posed by events (Home Office 2015a). Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 33

34 Sensitive Institution Status in Canada At present, care is taken to protect freedom of expression on university campuses in Canada by limiting security investigations that may take place there. Institutions of higher education in Canada, along with trade unions, the media, and political and religious organizations, are classed as sensitive institutions (Security Intelligence Review Committee 2008, 15). This special status is given to these entities in recognition of their importance as fundamental social institutions. The sensitive institution designation is intended to significantly curb both the frequency and invasiveness of security operations on campuses. Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 34

35 At present, there is no legislation in Canada that places duties for countering terrorism on universities or university administrators. This could change. Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 35

36 If they wish to maintain current levels of freedom of expression and limits to security investigations, universities administrators in Canada may wish to take a more active role in understanding how violent extremist ideologies operate on university campuses and in the creation of best practices that appropriately balance security concerns with academic freedoms. Policies and Responsibilities for Governing Violent Extremism at Ontario Universities Katie Ford (Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society) 36

37 UNESCO s Preventing violent extremism through Education A guide for policymakers What can be achieved? Education cannot prevent an individual from committing a violent act in the name of a violent extremist ideology but the provision of relevant education of good quality can help create the conditions that make it difficult for violent extremist ideologies and acts to proliferate. 37

38 38

39 ///////////////IF IT S SUSPICIOUS, REPORT IT!\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Changes in behaviour are often open to interpretation. For that reason, it is important to look for a cluster or pattern of changes. The presence of any of the indicators identified in this document on its own does not necessarily indicate criminal activity; however, the likelihood increases as more indicators are present. All signs must be considered in context. If you have any doubts or would like to report a suspicious incident, please contact the resources available in your area. National Security Information Line: