Female Jihadis Facing Justice: Comparing Approaches in Europe

This section contains the book's copyright information, table of contents, table of figures, list of contributors, list of abbreviations, and acknowledgements.

The executive summary highlights the main findings from the book “Female Jihadis Facing Justice: Comparing European Approaches”. After a brief contextualisation, it emphasises key aspects related to the prosecution, prison management, rehabilitation and reintegration of jihadi female violent extremist offenders in Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. It also presents some comparative elements and the main recommendations stemming from the quantitative analysis of more than 280 criminal cases and 69 stakeholders interviews.

by Thomas Renard, Tanya Mehra, and Merlina Herbach

Abstract                                                                                                                                         

The introductory chapter outlines the context that triggered the need for this project. It explains why the issue of the management of female violent extremist offenders has become so important in Europe, and details the initial research questions. An initial literature review highlights current evidence and knowledge gaps, with regard to roles and profiles of female VEOs, as well as their prosecution, prison management, rehabilitation and reintegration. It further explains the methodology that guided this project, based on the collection and analysis of relevant case-law, as well as a number of semi-structured interviews.

by Thomas Renard

Abstract

Based on 120 court cases, relating to 118 female violent extremist offenders (VEOs), ICCT experts have gathered unique information on the role and profiles of Belgian female VEOs, as well as on their management throughout the Belgian criminal justice system. The findings from the extensive quantitative analysis of the case-law are corroborated by open-source research and interviews with eight selected Belgian stakeholders involved in the management of female VEOs. This chapter describes the current national approaches to prosecution, prison management, rehabilitation and reintegration of female VEOs in Belgium. In doing so, good practices and key existing challenges are highlighted, and some broader reflections are formulated.

by Marc Hecker

Abstract

Based on 94 court cases, relating to 91 female violent extremist offenders (VEOs), ICCT experts have gathered unique information on the role and profiles of French female VEOs, as well as on their management throughout the French criminal system. The findings from the extensive quantitative analysis of the case-law are corroborated with open-source research and twenty-four interviews with French stakeholders involved in the management of female VEOs, and with six female returnees. This chapter describes the current national approaches to prosecution, prison management, rehabilitation and reintegration of female VEOs in France. In doing so, good practices and key existing challenges are highlighted, and some broader reflections are formulated.

by Sofia Koller

Abstract

Based on 41 court cases, relating to 40 female violent extremist offenders (VEOs), ICCT experts have gathered unique information on the role and profiles of German female VEOs, as well as on their management throughout the German criminal system. The findings from the extensive quantitative analysis of the case-law are corroborated with open-source research and interviews with eighteen selected German stakeholders involved in the management of female VEOs. This chapter describes the current national approaches to prosecution, prison management, rehabilitation and reintegration of female VEOs in Germany. In doing so, good practices and key existing challenges are highlighted, and some broader reflections are formulated.

by Tanya Mehra

Abstract

Based on 28 court cases, relating to 28 female violent extremist offenders (VEOs), ICCT experts have gathered unique information on the role and profiles of Dutch female VEOs, as well as on their management throughout the Dutch criminal system. The findings from the extensive quantitative analysis of the case-law are corroborated with open-source research and interviews with nineteen selected Dutch stakeholders involved in the management of female VEOs. This chapter evaluates the current national approaches to prosecution, prison management, rehabilitation and reintegration of female VEOs in the Netherlands In doing so, good practices and key existing challenges are highlighted, and some broader reflections are formulated.

by Tanya Mehra, Thomas Renard, and Merlina Herbach

Abstract

This cross-cutting chapter aggregates all data from the four countries covered in this book, in order to offer a consolidated analysis of the activities and profiles of a uniquely large number of female VEOs. Furthermore, based on an analysis of our dataset, comprising 277 jihadi female VEOs, it provides thorough comparison regarding investigation methods, prosecutorial strategies, trial arrangements, or sentencing considerations between all four countries. Finally, building on the four country chapters, this chapter compares the various prison management, risk-assessment, post-release measures, rehabilitation and reintegration approaches that have been developed in the four countries, in response to the unprecedented challenge of female VEOs.      

by Tanya Mehra, Thomas Renard, and Merlina Herbach

Abstract

The concluding chapter summarises the main trends and findings from the country chapters and the cross-cutting analysis. Furthermore, some possible avenues for future research are identified. Finally, the authors formulate a number of very concrete recommendations for policy-makers and practitioners, building directly on the findings from the book.