By Tina Magazzini, Marina Eleftheriadou, Anna Triandafyllidou

This open access book explains why southern European countries with significant Muslim communities have experienced few religiously inspired violent attacks – or have avoided the kind of securitised response to such attacks seen in many other Western states. The authors provide a unique contribution to the literature on violent extremism – which has traditionally focused on countries such as France, the US and the UK – by studying the causes of relatively low rates of radicalisation in Greece, Italy and Spain. The book explores many of the dynamics between (non) radicalisation and issues such as socioeconomic inequality, experiences of conflict, and systemic racism and other forms of discrimination. It establishes a new analytical framework for the development of, and resilience against, violent radicalisation in the region and beyond.

Cham: Springer Nature, 2024. 133p.

By Joanna Dawson 

The Government can proscribe organisations that it considers engage in or promote terrorism. When an organisation is proscribed, it becomes a criminal offence to belong to it or to support it. This briefing describes the recent history and present status of proscribed organisations under the Terrorism Act 2000. Proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000 Prior to the 2000 Act, proscription was exclusively concerned with terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland. Under the 2000 Act, proscription was extended to include organisations concerned with both domestic and international terrorism. The Home Secretary may proscribe an organisation if they believe it is “concerned in terrorism”. If the Home Secretary believes that an organisation meets this statutory test, they must then decide whether to proscribe the organisation. In doing so, they must take into account various policy considerations. Consequences of proscription The 2000 Act sets out a number of proscription offences. These include: • belonging to or inviting support for a proscribed organisation • arranging or assisting with the arrangement of a meeting that supports a proscribed organisation • addressing such a meeting • wearing clothing or displaying articles in public which arouse suspicion of membership or support of a proscribed organisation. The maximum penalty for these offences (except wearing clothing or displaying images) is 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine. The Government can also impose financial sanctions on proscribed organisations. 

London: House of Commons Library, 2024. 78p