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Eye on Extremism
December 2, 2021
The New York Times: U.N. Seats Denied, For Now, To Afghanistan’s Taliban And Myanmar’s Junta
“A bid by the new Taliban government in Afghanistan and the junta ruling Myanmar to gain international recognition suffered a blow on Wednesday when the United Nations put off a decision on the rightful representatives of both countries. The deferral by a powerful U.N. committee effectively denied, for now and possibly through much of 2022, attempts by the ruling authorities of Afghanistan and Myanmar, which are widely considered pariahs, to occupy seats at the United Nations. The nine-nation Credentials Committee of the General Assembly, which is responsible for approving the diplomatic representation of each U.N. member state, held a closed meeting on the applications by the Taliban and Myanmar junta to replace the ambassadors of the governments they had deposed. Afterward, the committee’s chairwoman, Ambassador Anna Karin Eneström of Sweden, told reporters that the panel “defers its decision of the credentials in these two situations.” The United States and many other nations in the 193-member organization, along with a wide array of human rights groups, have denounced the repressive actions of the Taliban and the Myanmar military, known as the Tatmadaw. The Taliban, known for its severe interpretation of Shariah law and harsh treatment of women, seized control of Afghanistan in August, toppling the U.S.-backed government after two decades of war and American-led occupation.”
Associated Press: UN Rights Chief: Burkina Faso Is Facing A Security Crisis
“If insecurity in Burkina Faso keeps up, the West African nation could spiral into a humanitarian and human rights “catastrophe,” the U.N. human rights chief said Wednesday. Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, spoke to The Associated Press during her first visit to the war-weakened nation, which has seen an escalation in human rights abuses by its own security forces as it attempts to tackle a jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. During her four-day trip, Bachelet visited the hard-hit Sahel region and spoke to key players, including President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, religious leaders, civil society groups and victims of human rights abuses. “Burkina Faso is in the grip of not one but several major, intersecting crises,” she said. “I stressed with President Kabore, it is essential that all perpetrators of such human rights violations and abuses be brought to justice, regardless of their affiliation.” Bachelet’s visit comes as accusations of human rights abuses by the security forces and jihadis are increasing. Last week at least 15 people were allegedly killed by the army in the southwest, according to civil society groups. Human Rights Watch said it’s investigating allegations that at least 18 women were raped by jihadis in the town of Dablo, said Corinne Dufka, the group’s West Africa director.”
United States
Associated Press: EXPLAINER: Why Was Michigan Suspect Charged With Terrorism?
“Michigan prosecutors on Wednesday charged a teen with terrorism in a deadly mass shooting at his high school, a novel approach made possible by a law enacted after the 9/11 attacks nearly 20 years ago. The state’s 2002 anti-terrorism law defines a terroristic act as one intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or to affect the conduct of a government through intimidation or coercion. Gun-control advocates who track gunfire incidents on school grounds were not immediately aware of similar terrorism charges having been filed in other states. “It’s not a usual, a typical charge,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said of terrorism causing death, adding that the four students who were killed and seven others who were shot are not the only victims. “What about all the children who ran, screaming, hiding under desks? What about all the children at home right now, who can’t eat and can’t sleep and can’t imagine a world where they could ever step foot back in that school? Those are victims, too, and so are their families and so is the community. The charge of terrorism reflects that.” Ethan Crumbley, 15, also was charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to commit murder and gun crimes in Tuesday’s attack at Oxford High School.”
Afghanistan
Voice Of America: Taliban, Iran Say Misunderstanding Sparked Brief Border Clashes
“Afghanistan's Taliban and Iran confirmed Wednesday that clashes had broken out between the border security forces of the two countries, but neither side reported any casualties. In a late-night statement, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said “a misunderstanding at the local level” triggered the conflict near the Afghan border province of Nimruz. Mujahid said “the situation is now under control with the understanding of both sides.” He added that Taliban leaders have issued the “necessary instructions” to prevent such misunderstandings from happening again. Iran's media blamed the Taliban for starting the conflict by opening fire on an Iranian post earlier Wednesday over confusion about the border demarcation. “The clashes stopped, and Iran is discussing the matter with the Taliban,” the Tasnim News Agency said. The news agency rejected as false the reports that the Taliban had captured an Iranian border post during the armed conflict. The Afghanistan-Iran border has active informal crossings that smugglers use for international human and drug trafficking, which is a source of bilateral tensions. Aid agencies say more than 300,000 Afghans have fled to Iran using these illegal routes since the Taliban takeover of Kabul in August.”
Nigeria
The Punch Nigeria: Suspected Boko Haram Terrorists Abduct Six Borno Civil Servants
“Six staff of the Borno State Ministry of Works are said to have been abducted by suspected members of the Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorist group on Wednesday. The six members of staff were kidnapped while supervising the construction of the 45km Chibok-Damboa road, Vanguard reports. According to the report, the abductors also took three trucks used in carrying sand to construction sites. Meanwhile, one of the staff was able to escape unhurt. Borno State Commissioner for Works, Architect Yerima Saleh, confirmed the incident to Vanguard, stating that the government had informed security agencies about the incident. “It is very pathetic to inform you that six of my staff mostly drivers were kidnapped near Wovi village while on duty along Damboa-Chibok road. Likewise, three of our trucks including one of our Hilux operational vehicles were snatched away. “We have informed relevant security agencies with a view to intensifying efforts rescue the victims unhurt,” Saleh is quoted to have said.”
Somalia
All Africa: Somalia: Nisa Agents Destroy Al-Shabaab Weapons In Mogadishu
“The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) reported that the military equipment found in a bunker in the district of Huriwa included, among other means of warfare, mortar shells and bomb-making drums. The agency also indicated in a document that during the mission it arrested three Al-Shabab militants, who will appear in court for trial. NISA forces have recently seized a large quantity of weapons from the extremist group in hidden caches, including one recently detected in the town of Elasha Biya, south of Mogadishu, the report said. On the 25th of this month, a car bomb attack in the capital, claimed by Al- Shabab, killed eight people and wounded 17. The bloody attack was condemned by various organizations, including the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on East African Development, which is made up of eight countries in the sub-region.”
Africa
Associated Press: Ugandan Soldiers Enter Congo To Fight Extremist ADF Rebels
“Uganda deployed foot soldiers inside Congolese territory, intensifying a military assault against rebels accused of attacking civilians in Congo and Uganda, according to a Ugandan military official. An unknown number of Ugandan infantry troops crossed the border into eastern Congo Wednesday, the day after Uganda launched artillery and airstrikes on bases believed to be occupied by members of the Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF, said Ugandan military spokeswoman Brig. Flavia Byekwaso. Uganda is fighting the rebels with the blessing of Congolese authorities. The ongoing assault on the ADF has been described by Uganda as a joint effort with Congo in the aftermath of a series of bomb blasts in the Uganda capital that were blamed on the rebels. The most recent of those explosions, in which at least four civilians were killed, happened Nov. 16 at two locations in Kampala. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the explosions, saying they were carried out by Ugandans. Ugandan authorities blamed the attacks on the ADF, which has been allied with the IS group since 2019. Ugandan authorities have vowed to hunt down the ADF’s fighters at home and abroad. Col. Paddy Ankunda, a senior Ugandan army official, shared footage purporting to show artillery fire being launched toward ADF bases, saying on Twitter: “They invited us and we are coming in full force.”
United Kingdom
“Counter-terror police are warning all parents to be vigilant as figures show a rise in the number of children being arrested for far-right terrorism offences. Police say lockdown created a “perfect storm” for teenagers to become radicalised by the far right. They describe an increase in the number of children being arrested as “extremely concerning”, adding that “the age range is getting younger”. Detective Superintendent Vicky Washington, Counter Terrorism Policing's national co-ordinator for Prevent told Sky News: “We have seen a rise, certainly in the last 12 months, due to the COVID-19 situation. “Young people being locked down, isolated from their friends and also from those potentially protective factors like a school or social workers. “We know that hateful extremism has been prevalent online and in essence, it makes sort of a perfect storm for a potential radicaliser to exploit that environment, and I think we have seen that in the last 12 months.” She adds her message to parents is: “I would say it could happen to your child. There's no one particular type of child this could happen to so I would ask all parents to be vigilant.” For the first time Prevent, the government's counter-terrorism programme, has had more referrals linked to far-right extremism than Islamist extremism.”
Europe
RFI: Belgian Police Testimony On Terror Suspect Leaves Crucial Questions Unanswered
“The Paris attacks trial resumed on Tuesday with police evidence from Brussels on the background and Syrian activities of Mohamed Abrini. Abrini did not hear what was said about him, since he is one of five accused who continue to boycott the trial in protest against Belgian police witnesses being allowed testify by videolink from Brussels. Mohamed Abrini visited Syria in the summer of 2015. On his way back to Belgium, Abrini made a detour via London, Manchester and Birmingham. He also stopped in Paris. No one knows why. He certainly collected money from two Islamic State supporters based in England. Two men are in jail in the UK for their part in helping to finance a terrorist organisation. But the amount the pair gave him . . . Abrini claims it was the sterling equivalent of 3,800 euros . . . seems paltry in relation to the organisation's vast funds, especially since Abrini himself had been advanced 2,000 US dollars to finance the trip. In England, he visited Manchester United's ground at Old Trafford, taking a selfie. Belgian police believe that he was anxious to give himself an alibi to disguise his Syrian visit. But he hardly needed to go to Manchester for that. The French anti-terrorist authorities suspect that he was looking for a target for a projected attack. Old Trafford has a capacity of 76,000.”
Technology
“A new report from the Anti-Defamation League shows that while Facebook has removed major Holocaust denial posts on its platform, gaps in enforcing its ban remain one year after it went into effect.
The report found nine troubling posts that overtly violated Facebook’s hate speech policy. As of Wednesday (Dec.1), the ADL said three of the nine remain. The ADL, which investigates antisemitism through its Center on Extremism, has been advocating for years to push Facebook to change its policy on Holocaust denial. In 2020, Facebook classified Holocaust denial as hate speech rather than misinformation. But the report found that while dedicated Holocaust denial groups have been removed from the platform, public and private groups as well as personal profiles still contain links to such sources. Holocaust denial aims to cast doubt on the facts of the Holocaust, the systematic murder of 6 million European Jews during World War II. Adherents claim Jews fabricated evidence of their own genocide to gain sympathy or extract reparations from Germany. The denial contributes to the growing number of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. In 2020 an ADL survey found more than 2,000 instances of antisemitic assault, harassment and vandalism reported across 47 states and Washington, D.C.”
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