Topic: 2025 – Reducing Recruitment Capabilities of Terrorist Groups
Country: Portugal
Delegate Name: John Weaver
In the dawn of the 21st century the threat of terrorism has become a very real threat to many countries across the European community. Jihadist cells like Al-Qaeda and ISIS cause untold amounts of damage and pain through targeted attacks on civil infrastructure and organized crime. These and other crimes committed by these organisations are aimed at destabilizing civil and governmental organizations as well as creating a sense of insecurity and fear in their targeted communities. But while we are reacting to these threats on a reactionary level, Portugal fears there is not enough action being taken to stop these organizations from recruiting new members.
Terrorists generally recruit from disadvantaged communities that have been alienated from society. And because of the advent of social media, it has become increasingly easy for children to be pushed towards extremist groups and be converted to jihadism. Social media, being as effective as it is at spreading information can and has also been used to push propaganda and agendas.
Because of the vastness of the world web and by extension the problem co-operation on this issue is a must. A singular set of guidelines needs to be consistent across multiple countries. The BIK related policies that Portugal has adopted have limited the harmful, extremist messages that have been targeted at a young impressionable demographic. Besides the efforts to limit propaganda online Portugal also recognizes the importance of social inclusion in reducing recruitment capabilities. Operational programme 8 of Portugal 2020, the operation for social inclusion in Portugal, is designed to combat poverty and other situations that would lead to social exclusion and therefore an increased vulnerability to terrorist recruitment.
In the end, as much as Portugal works to limit extremism in the EU, Portugal recognizes that there are limitations in its and other countries’ abilities to combat these growing threats. Portugal urges that more countries join the 19 different organizations that help combat terrorism. This is a problem that goes beyond borders and puts the safety of our people into our hands to defend.
Resources:
National-policies.eacea.ec.europa.eu/youthwiki/chapters/portugal/43-strategy-for-the-social-inclusion-of-young-people
Portuguese legislation on the implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT)
Ramos, Eduardo. “Statement delivered by Eduardo Ramos.” Counter-Terrorism Committee, 4 Nov. 2021, New York. Address.
Realinstitutoelcano.org/en/analyses/jihadism-in-portugal-grasping-a-nebulous-reality-ari/
