CRITICALLY DISCUSS TERRORISM (25)
INTRODUCTION:
Terrorism is an issue that riddles nations with panic and fear.
Terrorism is pervasive throughout the world and remains one of the most
complex and difficult issues facing law enforcement in the 21st century.
Terrorism is not only isolated to a country such as the Unites States. Countries
such as Canada and Africa have also fallen victim to terrorist attacks (e.g. in
2014 a gunman fatally shot a soldier in Ottawa before storming Parliament in an
apparent protest against Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq or
devasting kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria by the terrorist group
Boko Haram).
Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence or threat of violence directed at society
to instil fear and intimidation in its pursuit for political change.
DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPT(S):
Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence or threat of violence directed at society to
instil fear and intimidation in its pursuit for political change.
The absence of an agreed upon definition matters for 2 reasons:
- It blocks the possibility of referring to terrorist acts to an international court
- It leaves individual countries free to outlaw activities which they choose to
classify as terrorism , perhaps for their own political convenience.
Terrorism comes from the Latin word "terrere", which means to frighten or fear.
Therefore, we can say that terrorism is intended to instil fear and terror into its
targeted audience.
Various definitions of terrorism:
Political definition: motivated violence for political convenience.
Terrorism indicates pre-planned, politically motivated violence by groups of people
that want to elicit public reaction. Directed at targets that cannot defend themselves.
International terrorism: refers to terrorism in which citizens or territories of more than
one country are involved.
Pre-planned threat or use of violence by groups with the intention of intimidating or
forcing governments in order to achieve political, religious or ideological outcomes
and to create fear [Whittaker:2013].
Schwenkenbecher (2012) defines terrorism as a strategy / tactic where violence/ force
is employed against one group of people to create fear. It is meant to intimidate,
coerce or influence another group of people and it is used to reach/ further objectives.
The act or threatened act of violence against innocent people for political purposes.
4 significant elements of terrorism:
1. It involved an act of violence
2. To create fear in those exposed to it
3. It targets both active opponents and innocent victims
, 4. Has a political purpose.
Common denominators of Terrorism:
Terrorism is the illegal use of violence;
The crime is directed at the person (innocent people who cannot defend
themselves) and property, and not at the direct political opponent;
The intent of the act is to arouse fear in the general population and as a result
bring about a change in government.
Terrorism is not a common law crime committed out of zeal or for personal
benefit or egotism, but to achieve political goals.
The crime however manifests in common law crimes such as murder and assault.
___________________________________________________________________________
EXTENT OF TERRORISM:
- The Global Terrorism Database (GTD) is the most comprehensive searchable
database of terrorism.
- The database reveals that over a 10 year period, a total of 39 604 incidence
were recorded globally.
- South Asia was the hardest hit (11598 incidents) followed by the Middle East
and North Africa (8433 incidents).
WHO ARE THE TERRORISTS?
21st century terrorists have a deep-seated belief in the justice of their cause.
They are tough, cunning and have very little regard for their own lives or the
lives of others.
Some people suggest that most terrorists must be mentally ill to inflict
senseless harm and conflict on innocent people, especially those (for example
suicide bombers) who are willing to lose their own lives in the process
Terrorists have varied cultural backgrounds and that the stereotypes of the
typical terrorist, being of Middle Eastern descent for example, should be
rejected.
Not only males are involved in terrorism; for decades, females have been found
to be part of terrorist operations.
Although females may be far less involved in terrorism than are men, they are
feared just as much
Females may have various roles and activities within terrorist operations, and
they are even known to commit suicide bombings.
These female terrorists are often known as "Black Widows", a term first given to
19 female members of the Chenchen terrorist group after they (strapped with
bombs to their waists) took 800 people hostage in a Moscow theatre in 2002.
Terrorists are mainly motived by ideology, religion or political cause; they view
their acts as good and just seeking attention by engaging in publicity-orientated
violence
The size of terrorist organisations vary from group to group and may range from
only a few members to over 10 000 members
However, most terrorists groups are sub-divided into what is known as terror
cells.
INTRODUCTION:
Terrorism is an issue that riddles nations with panic and fear.
Terrorism is pervasive throughout the world and remains one of the most
complex and difficult issues facing law enforcement in the 21st century.
Terrorism is not only isolated to a country such as the Unites States. Countries
such as Canada and Africa have also fallen victim to terrorist attacks (e.g. in
2014 a gunman fatally shot a soldier in Ottawa before storming Parliament in an
apparent protest against Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq or
devasting kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria by the terrorist group
Boko Haram).
Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence or threat of violence directed at society
to instil fear and intimidation in its pursuit for political change.
DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPT(S):
Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence or threat of violence directed at society to
instil fear and intimidation in its pursuit for political change.
The absence of an agreed upon definition matters for 2 reasons:
- It blocks the possibility of referring to terrorist acts to an international court
- It leaves individual countries free to outlaw activities which they choose to
classify as terrorism , perhaps for their own political convenience.
Terrorism comes from the Latin word "terrere", which means to frighten or fear.
Therefore, we can say that terrorism is intended to instil fear and terror into its
targeted audience.
Various definitions of terrorism:
Political definition: motivated violence for political convenience.
Terrorism indicates pre-planned, politically motivated violence by groups of people
that want to elicit public reaction. Directed at targets that cannot defend themselves.
International terrorism: refers to terrorism in which citizens or territories of more than
one country are involved.
Pre-planned threat or use of violence by groups with the intention of intimidating or
forcing governments in order to achieve political, religious or ideological outcomes
and to create fear [Whittaker:2013].
Schwenkenbecher (2012) defines terrorism as a strategy / tactic where violence/ force
is employed against one group of people to create fear. It is meant to intimidate,
coerce or influence another group of people and it is used to reach/ further objectives.
The act or threatened act of violence against innocent people for political purposes.
4 significant elements of terrorism:
1. It involved an act of violence
2. To create fear in those exposed to it
3. It targets both active opponents and innocent victims
, 4. Has a political purpose.
Common denominators of Terrorism:
Terrorism is the illegal use of violence;
The crime is directed at the person (innocent people who cannot defend
themselves) and property, and not at the direct political opponent;
The intent of the act is to arouse fear in the general population and as a result
bring about a change in government.
Terrorism is not a common law crime committed out of zeal or for personal
benefit or egotism, but to achieve political goals.
The crime however manifests in common law crimes such as murder and assault.
___________________________________________________________________________
EXTENT OF TERRORISM:
- The Global Terrorism Database (GTD) is the most comprehensive searchable
database of terrorism.
- The database reveals that over a 10 year period, a total of 39 604 incidence
were recorded globally.
- South Asia was the hardest hit (11598 incidents) followed by the Middle East
and North Africa (8433 incidents).
WHO ARE THE TERRORISTS?
21st century terrorists have a deep-seated belief in the justice of their cause.
They are tough, cunning and have very little regard for their own lives or the
lives of others.
Some people suggest that most terrorists must be mentally ill to inflict
senseless harm and conflict on innocent people, especially those (for example
suicide bombers) who are willing to lose their own lives in the process
Terrorists have varied cultural backgrounds and that the stereotypes of the
typical terrorist, being of Middle Eastern descent for example, should be
rejected.
Not only males are involved in terrorism; for decades, females have been found
to be part of terrorist operations.
Although females may be far less involved in terrorism than are men, they are
feared just as much
Females may have various roles and activities within terrorist operations, and
they are even known to commit suicide bombings.
These female terrorists are often known as "Black Widows", a term first given to
19 female members of the Chenchen terrorist group after they (strapped with
bombs to their waists) took 800 people hostage in a Moscow theatre in 2002.
Terrorists are mainly motived by ideology, religion or political cause; they view
their acts as good and just seeking attention by engaging in publicity-orientated
violence
The size of terrorist organisations vary from group to group and may range from
only a few members to over 10 000 members
However, most terrorists groups are sub-divided into what is known as terror
cells.
