Deradicalisation Requires Community-Led Approach, Not Solely Police Work

Strategic Insights -

As the world commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings on Anzac Day, Australian police apprehended five teenagers allegedly planning an Islamic State-inspired attack in Melbourne. The incident highlights the need for a community-led deradicalisation approach, rather than solely relying on police work. Moderate Islamic leaders, scholars, and religious figures must be invited to actively contribute to and manage the nation's deradicalisation programs. The government's ongoing investment in counter-terrorism capabilities is crucial, but an earlier and softer intervention strategy may yield a more positive and cost-effective outcome.

Key Takeaways:

  • The five teenagers arrested in Melbourne were known associates of Numan Haider, the lone-wolf terrorist who attacked two police officers in September 2014.
  • An alternative approach to deradicalisation, involving police, health practitioners, and community leaders, could have given these young people a chance to back away from IS before committing any criminal offences.
  • The government's national disruption group, community engagement programs, and diversion and monitoring team have great potential, but they do not sufficiently partner members of the communities that are on the frontline of countering radicalisation.
  • Deradicalisation of young Muslims should be an activity supported by the government, but delivered by Australia's moderate Muslim scholars and leaders.
  • The cost of an alternative approach to deradicalisation, involving community-led intervention, could have been significantly less than the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on the investigations.
  • The terrorist threat in Australia is becoming more dangerous by the day, with young Australians continuing to be radicalised and showing a willingness to commit acts of terrorism.

Statistics:

  • The Australian Federal Police and Victorian Police apprehended five teenagers allegedly planning an Islamic State-inspired attack in Melbourne.
  • The intelligence, surveillance, and police bill for this operation will likely run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  • The ongoing monitoring, management, and prosecution of these five teenagers over time will likely run into millions of dollars.
  • The government's national disruption group, community engagement programs, and diversion and monitoring team have been in operation for some time.

Sources:

  • The Australian (April 21, 2018)
  • The Saturday Paper (April 21, 2018)