Split on Islam and Migration, EU Vows Crackdown on Extremism
- Bloc’s home affairs ministers promise anti-terrorism measures
- Governments seek access to encrypted communications, chat apps
A military police officer stands guard near the site of the Nov. 2 terror attack in Vienna, Austria, on Nov. 4.
Photographer: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images
European Union governments promised a coordinated crackdown on violent extremism, as the bloc walks a tightrope between tackling the threat of terror attacks and stigmatizing Muslims and immigrants.
“We should promote that religious education and training -- preferably within the EU -- is in line with European fundamental rights and values,” EU home affairs ministers declared on Friday in a joint communique. A French-led push in earlier draft versions of the ministerial statement to explicitly task the European Commission with “steering work” toward reforming the training of Imams was removed from the final text.