Launch Event: Foreign Fighters in the European Union

April 06, 2016

On 1 April 2016, ICCT launched its Report 'The Foreign Fighters Phenomenon in the European Union: Profiles, Threats & Policies' in the presence of (inter)national policymakers, counter-terrorism experts, ambassadors, academics and media representatives. The event took place at the international press centre Nieuwspoort in The Hague, where the first copy was handed to the Netherlands National Coordinator for Security and Counter-Terrorism (NCTV) by ICCT Director Mark Singleton. It was NCTV’s Dick Schoof who thanked the ICCT for a thorough report on this interesting and important subject. Due to its unique methodology, the Report has filled a knowledge gap on the analysed topic by outlining different profiles.

The main findings of the Report were presented by some of the authors, Eva Entenmann, Dr. Alastair Reed, Dr. Grégory Chauzal, Dr. Christophe Paulussen & Dr. Bibi van Ginkel. Their findings as to numbers, profiles, threat levels and policy recommendations were summarised and include for instance:

Of a total estimated 3,922 – 4,294 foreign fighters from EU Member States, around 30% have returned to their home countries.
A majority of around 2,838 foreign fighters come from just four countries: Belgium, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, with Belgium having the highest per-capita FF contingent.
There is no clear-cut profile of a European foreign fighter. Data indicates that a majority originate from metropolitan areas, with many coming from the same neighbourhoods, that an average of 17% are female, and that the percentage of converts among foreign fighters ranges from 6% to 23%.
The radicalisation process of foreign fighters is reported to be short and often involves circles of friends radicalising as a group and deciding to leave jointly for Syria and Iraq.
While many Member States have already bolstered security and legislative policy measures, a larger focus needs to be put on preventive measures as well as rehabilitation and reintegration programmes to deal with returning foreign fighters.

Following the short presentation of the report, Ioana Van Nieuwkerk (Legal Officer, Eurojust) and Brian Donald (Chief of Staff, Europol) reflected on the main findings. Ms. Van Nieuwkerk conveyed Eurojust’s appreciation for the initiative to conduct research on such a complex and dynamic phenomenon. She acknowledged the existing global risk of (returned) foreign fighters and spoke of the role and work of Eurojust in counteracting this phenomenon. Ms. Van Nieuwkerk also emphasised the importance and need for continuous analysis of legislative developments and stated that there is, in line with the Report’s findings, a challenge in monitoring programmes on radicalisation.

Mr. Donald stated that Europol was overall impressed with the outcome of the research. In addition, he addressed the importance of data collection, exchange and analysis at EU level. He noted that Europol had collected slightly larger numbers of foreign fighters, their estimate being 5000, but confirmed that also they had found an increased number of women who left for Syria and Iraq, but who return in lower numbers.

Finally, the Q&A session provided the opportunity to the attending audience to respond to the prior discussions and share their perspective on the current issue.

Please find here the Full Report and Executive Summary.