France: Preventing Violent Extremism in France: from a society of vigilance to a society of suspicion?

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The French government is starting to adopt questionable approaches to try to counter 'radicalisation'.

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"The French government has called for a general detection of “early signs” of radicalization. But, what does it mean exactly and how the listing of these considered “early signs” can avoid generating a climate of generalized suspicion? In the field of preventing violent extremism (PVE) policies, the use of such indicators is not only questionable in theory but dangerous in practice.

...indicators that are presented as a reliable means of detecting violent radicalization and thus promoting a “society of vigilance” are in fact a tool whose design is not based on science and whose practical use can encourage suspicion and denunciation. In such a context, the authorities’ action may encourage the marginalization of certain segments of the society, and work against the inclusion that would make vulnerable communities more resilient to radicalization."

See: Preventing Violent Extremism in France: from a society of vigilance to a society of suspicion? (CIDOB, link)

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