The best way to counter terrorism, conflict and humanitarian crises around the world is to promote and insist on the adoption and implementation of fundamental human rights in those societies.
Foreign Affairs
The ECPM approach to foreign affairs is based on the Christian understanding of human dignity. Fundamental freedoms such as freedom of religion and belief, freedom of expression and political freedoms are the safeguard and practical expression of this understanding of human dignity. It is our firm conviction that the spread of fundamental freedoms is key for the development of a more secure and stable world. It is important that in our policies we apply the same principles at home and abroad.
Foreign affairs continues to be the competence of the Member States. We would like to see the EEAS’(16) role be kept as facilitator/ mediator/ ambassador, acting on policies determined by joint decision of the Member States. The power and initiative should rest with the foreign offices of the Member States, and not be imposed on them from Brussels. We urge the EU Member States to engage much stronger with all political and society actors in the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and Asia that support and implement fundamental freedoms such as freedom of religion, equality of women, freedom of expression and democratic multi-ethnic governance; they should get preferential treatment when it comes to aid and trade.
The ECPM supports Israel’s right to exist; we wish to see a just and lasting peace in the region, achieved by political means by the actors on the ground.
Security and Migration
Cooperation between Member States in the field of security should centre on four areas: military co-operation, border security, cyber security, and anti-terrorism.
Military co-operation
ECPM is in favour of all European military co-operation be conducted for now within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), while respecting the neutrality of some EU Member States. Europe has been leaning on the USA for security and defence for many years now, but it is time for Europe to develop mechanisms to defend itself. In line with EU’s principle of subsidiarity, defence matters fall under the authority of the sovereign Member States. A single defence market would reduce the sovereignty of smaller Member States and nations would lose sovereign control over defence manufacturing capabilities in favour of big military industrial groups which would have profits as their priority, not the security of the peoples of Europe. However, we encourage cooperation between Member States, harmonising equipment and tools, training together, and standardizing procedures and operations (for example, the creation of a rapid response task force).
“A common de-nationalised army would, and could, no longer owe obedience to a national authority, either as a whole nor in respect of the units of which it is composed. It would have sworn loyalty to the Community. The Community alone would have power over it. If any of its units were to follow the orders of a national Government, they would be regarded as deserters or rebels. If, therefore, such an army is set up, the only valid orders will have to come from an authority recognised by all the participating States.”– Robert Schuman
The current war of aggression started by Russia in Ukraine constitutes a threat for EU Member States like Poland, Romania, and the Baltic countries. We call for the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine to be respected by the Russian Federation. At the same time, we urge solidarity with the border countries in dealing with the refugee influx and the impact the war is having on their energy, economy and trade.
Border security
The European Union does not have any internal border controls anymore (Schengen area), except with Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Ireland. The lack of internal borders also creates some vulnerabilities, while the member countries forming the external border of the Union have a bigger responsibility and burden to maintain the safety of the Union than the interior countries do. ECPM calls for increased support for the border countries, either financially or in terms of personnel. A majority of ECPM members also support Romania’s and Bulgaria’s inclusion in the Schengen area.
The aftermath of the refugee crisis in 2016 opened up some fundamental debates about migration, about economic stability and about solidarity among EU member states. We believe foreign affairs and migration policies should take into account the internal realities and challenges of a Member State. ECPM is in favour of solidarity among the EU Member States when it comes to refugees and asylum seekers; we welcome the Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism adopted in 2022.(17) We condemn Turkey’s frequent attempts at blackmailing the European Union in exchange for membership or certain political favours and using migrants as bargaining chips. Any deals with third-party countries regarding migrants must include sufficient guarantees that human rights are not violated; effective mechanisms which ensure this need to be developed.
Concerning refugees, we believe that the human dignity of the refugee should be protected at all times. The asylum-seeking procedure should be fast, thorough, and humane; the applicant must be provided with shelter, food and basic services. If approved, their integration into society needs to happen as soon as possible; churches and NGOs should be encouraged to assist in this. We are in favour of integration policies which respect the refugees’ culture and background but which educate and promote a human rights-centred view. We find practices like forced or underage marriage, female genital mutilation, shunning, etc. reprehensible, and Sharia law deeply incompatible with European life and society. Human trafficking/ smuggling is a real threat for people fleeing a crisis and in a vulnerable situation; the European Union agencies (Frontex, Europol) need to do everything they can to prevent and apprehend those trafficking human beings. Unaccompanied refugee minors need to be treated as children first and foremost, following children rights legislation, and they need to be prioritised in settlement and integration efforts.
Cyber security
Attacks on public and private cyber infrastructure or on the electric grid can have severe consequences, considering how integrated our systems are already. The EU network is as strong as its weakest link: if one of the poorly protected networks is infiltrated, it will spread to all. Cyberthreats against our societies and infrastructure could come from state- as well as non-state actors which makes it difficult to decide whether to treat it as a military or civilian security operation. Cybercrimes should be included and punishable in international law.
It is concerning to see that often almost half or more of the staff working in cybersecurity are external contractors, which means they are not really under control and command of government. It is worth wondering if these external companies abide by the same values and ethics as military and government personnel are obliged to consider and whether their loyalties may be divided. A possible solution for this issue could be like the one Estonia(18) is practicing. ECPM proposes that each EU Member State has its own cyber unit, and that they are all interconnected.
Anti-terrorism
The ECPM has consistently affirmed that terrorism can only be dealt with effectively if addressed at its roots. Ultimately any form of terrorism starts with extremist ideology that encourages violence as a means to achieve political goals. This ideology thrives in a low-education, low- information environment that is permissive towards this type of extremism. This demonstrates the need to promote both at home and abroad a culture based on human dignity and fundamental freedoms and which centres on education. The fight against terrorism in Europe cannot be disconnected from foreign policy and the need to set new priorities there as well.
We call for an urgent reassessment of all aid programs and other support given to entities outside the EU and to ensure that no funding ends up in the hands of extremists. European presence via ‘front organisations’ of entities which support extremist groups/ ideology needs to end. Closer supervision of the spending of European funds and periodical review are necessary.
All existing EU level structures that work on counterterrorism should get the funding and support that will enable them to cooperate more effectively with the Member States where needed.
Special attention should be given to cooperation with Member States regarding visa applications if there is any reason for concern that Europe’s security might be affected. Effective cross-border training of civil servants and officers in police and justice departments should be increased. An effective exchange between EU Member States of data regarding terror suspects, or those in connection with them, as well as extremist actors, is a clear priority.