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A Global ‘Solution’ to ‘Extremism’

CVE, or Countering Violent Extremism, initiatives are being promoted globally as the ‘solution’ to the problem of ‘extremism’. However, there is no generally accepted definition of ‘violent extremism’. Countries around the world have adapted their own, often broad, definitions of ‘extremism’ – a practice, which has enabled the suppression of legitimate political dissent and the criminalization of speech and thought. Contradicting empirical evidence, CVE initiatives are predisposed to viewing ‘ideology’ as the root cause of ‘extremism’ and rest on discredited theories of ‘radicalisation’. The UK has played a key role in developing counter-radicalisation and counter-terrorism policies within the EU and elsewhere, and the UK’s failed and politically motivated PREVENT strategy has been largely used as the blueprint for CVE ‘thinking ‘. Unchecked CVE initiatives are being shared globally as ‘best practices’ and this has resulted in the replication of flawed non-evidence based policies, which marginalise sections of the community, endorse a state sponsored Islam and threaten civil liberties.[/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”ids” style=”load-more” items_per_page=”16″ show_filter=”yes” element_width=”3″ item=”1679″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1481114098993-8c5812a3775e5991a741a99d8d8dc6a8-0″ filter_source=”category” btn_add_icon=”true” exclude_filter=”110″ include=”15053, 16358″][/vc_column][/vc_row]