22/10/2024
Magistrates and researchers from North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf of Guinea have met to work on the judicial treatment of terrorism and violent radicalisation
For a week, European specialists joined 15 magistrates and researchers from North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf of Guinea to work on the judicial treatment of terrorism and violent radicalisation.
The activity, organised through the European project CT Just, brought together professionals involved in counter-terrorism, intelligence, investigation and the judiciary. In addition, regional groups have been set up to allow senior representatives from each country to discuss technical issues such as the judicialisation of intelligence or special investigative techniques.
The CT-JUST Sphinx initiative regularly brings together high representatives (judiciary, intelligence, investigation), to foster relationships based on trust and to generate synergies, in the fight against terrorism.
The delegation has been supported by the Sphinx initiative network created by Judge David Bénichou, key expert in charge of the penal chain component of the CT-JUST project. Sphinx brings together the three professions involved in the fight against terrorism: intelligence, investigation and the judiciary. Regional groups have been set up, enabling three senior representatives from each country to discuss technical issues such as the judicialization of intelligence, or special investigation techniques.
So far, four groups bringing together 16 countries from the MENA, Sahel and Horn of Africa have been set up with the participation of the League of Arab States and in close cooperation with EUROPOL.
The training enabled participants to share experiences on subjects such as terrorism trials, prison intelligence and the monitoring of suspects or convicted persons, and knowledge was acquired thanks to speakers from specialised services, while highlighting the participation of women in the fight against terrorism.
Terrorist organisations remain a major security threat in the Middle East, Maghreb, Sahel and Horn of Africa. Terrorism is both a crime against the rights to life and physical integrity and a threat to freedom, justice and economic development that particularly affects vulnerable groups. The response to terrorist activity must be based on effective criminal justice, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and human rights.
The aim of this European project is to enhance the capacities of authorities along the whole anti-terrorist criminal chain, to contribute to the effective dismantling of terrorist networks and recruitment networks, while ensuring the reparation and dignity of victims.
