Committee Opinion | Doc. 14025 | 19 April 2016
Preventing the radicalisation of children by fighting the root causes
Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media
A. Conclusions of the committee
(open)B. Proposed amendments
(open)Amendment A (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 3, delete the words “Muslim background” and replace them with “different backgrounds”. In the same paragraph, before the word “communities”, delete the word “Muslim” and replace it with “faith”.
Amendment B (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 4.1.2, delete the words “such as respect and tolerance”.
Amendment C (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 4.1.2, after the word “participation”, add the words “in public and in particular school life”.
Amendment D (to the draft resolution)
After paragraph 4.1.2, add the following new paragraph:
“implement specific measures to make schools safe and free from bullying and other manifestations of prejudice, discrimination, segregation and all forms of violence;”
Amendment E (to the draft resolution)
At the end of paragraph 4.3, add the following text:
“and, in particular, ensure implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2015)3 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the “Access of young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods to social rights;”
Amendment F (to the draft resolution)
After paragraph 4.4.2, add the following paragraph:
“support the work of the associations of victims of terrorism and of other civil society organisations aimed at raising awareness of children and young people about the danger of radicalisation;”
Amendment G (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 4.5, before the word “Internet”, insert the words “media and”.
Amendment H (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 4.5.1, insert “to be” after “contents and …”.
Amendment I (to the draft resolution)
After paragraph 4.5.2, add the following paragraph:
“prohibit by law, in accordance with Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, any incitement to violence, in particular through the media;”
Amendment J (to the draft resolution)
After paragraph 5, add the following new paragraph:
“The Assembly urges religious leaders to enhance efforts to prevent young people from becoming an instrument of violence and terror.”
C. Explanatory memorandum by Sir Roger Gale, rapporteur for opinion
(open)
- ensuring young people acquire social, civic and intercultural competences, by promoting democratic values and fundamental rights, social inclusion and non-discrimination, as well as active citizenship;
- enhancing critical thinking and media literacy, particularly in the use of the Internet and social media, so as to develop resistance to discrimination and indoctrination;
- fostering the education of disadvantaged children and young people, by ensuring that education and training systems address their needs;
- promoting intercultural dialogue through all forms of learning in co-operation with other relevant policies and stakeholders.
Specific explanations of the amendments
Amendment A
“Muslim background” and “Muslim community” immediately stigmatise. The concern relates, potentially, to extremism and fundamentalism in all or any faiths.
Amendment B
As explained before, “tolerance” does not necessarily imply positive steps towards understanding the position of the other and could limit the interaction to a passive observation at a distance, without engaging in a dialogue or co-operation with the other party. Democratic citizenship and European values involve more than just respect and tolerance; emphasising them narrows the scope of the meaning of this sentence.
Amendment C
The suggested addition is intended to clarify the meaning of the reference to child participation.
Amendment D
Assembly Resolution 1803 (2011) on education against violence at school addresses the issue of violence at school from a number of perspectives. The premise that a school free from violence generates positive behaviour stands true also as regards the likelihood of young people being drawn into extremist movements. It lists specific measures, also bearing in mind the influence that teachers and educators have on children and young people, which is the main target of Ms Fataliyeva’s report. It proposes, for instance, that “17.2.3. school teachers and staff should have mandatory training to better understand the different forms of violence (physical, psychological, verbal and behavioural violence) and learn how to combat such violence and respect the right of children to a non-violent school”.
Amendment E
Committee of Ministers Recommendation CM/Rec(2015)3 on the access of young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods to social rights was adopted on 21 January 2015, after the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris. The recommendation lists a series of measures that should be taken as regards education, employment and occupation, housing, etc., and is not referred to in Ms Fataliyeva’s explanatory memorandum. It asks member States, inter alia, to: “(1.a) improve the living conditions of young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods by providing accessible, affordable and youth-friendly public services and other measures in the fields of education and training, employment and occupation, health, housing, information and counselling, sports, leisure and culture; and (1.b) implement concrete measures to work towards abolition of the segregation and isolation that negatively affects disadvantaged neighbourhoods irrespective of their location”. A series of concrete measures is listed in the Appendix to this recommendation.
Amendment F
It is important to involve the associations of victims of terrorism and other civil society organisations in the actions aimed at raising awareness of children and young people about the danger of radicalisation. Visits to schools or open dialogue at local level should involve parents’ associations. This can help detect first signs of radicalisation. It should also allow early intervention and help for young people at risk of being radicalised.
Amendment G
I believe it would be a serious omission not to refer explicitly to media in the text; I understand the focus on Internet, but we cannot forget the other media. This amendment is also related to the following one (I) concerning the introduction of an additional sub-paragraph on the protection against violence through the media after sub-paragraph 4.5.2.
Amendment H
Grammatical correction.
Amendment I
Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights underscores that any propaganda for war and any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law. Even though Article 20 does not explicitly mention incitement to hatred through the media, in the context of the report, it would be advisable to highlight the importance of prohibiting by law any incitement to violence through the media.
Amendment J
It is important to invite religious leaders to enhance communication to challenge radicalisation that may lead to terrorism.