Ambassadors Roundtable
January 28, 2008
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Summary
As part of the Ambassador Roundtable Series on International Collaboration to Combat Terrorism and Insurgencies, The Homeland Security Policy Institute and the International Center for Terrorism Studies co-hosted Swedish Anti-Terrorism Coordinator for the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Cecelia Ruthström-Ruin, on January 28, 2008.
Ambassador Ruthström-Ruin’s position as Anti-Terrorism Coordinator is akin to the U.S. Ambassador for Terrorism and Security at the Department of State and is responsible for representing and coordinating anti-terrorism policy for the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and throughout the government. Ruthström-Ruin takes a comprehensive approach to coordinating counterterrorism policy. She desires to strengthen counterterrorism policy by creating multi-lateral solutions in the global context, developing capacity building measures around the world for legal affairs, and building capacity measures for Sweden to protect its citizens abroad.
Sweden has not dealt with terrorist attacks on its soil since the 1970s, but recognizes the global nature of today’s threat. Within Sweden, the government uses law enforcement and criminal justice tools to pursue counterterrorism objectives, and recently revamped its penal code to include counterterrorism measures, in accordance with European Union Commission directives.
The threat Sweden and the world faces today is a different type than previously experienced in the twentieth century. Similar to other parts of Europe, Islamist-inspired terrorism is the focus of policy efforts. Half of arrests made in Europe in 2007 connected to terrorism were related to Islamist terrorism specifically, generating from residents connected to Morocco, Tunisia, and other North African countries. Terrorist organizations operating within Europe now utilize small, but wide-ranging networks which transcend borders to meet their global goals.
The Swedish government is concerned about the potential radicalization of its immigrant communities and refugee populations. Sweden has a rich history of accepting refugees from all over the world, most recently from Iraq. In 2006, 9,000 Iraqis arrived in Sweden, and in 2007, the numbers when tabulated are expected to be 20,000. (Comparatively, the U.S. promised to receive 7,000 Iraqi refugees in 2007).[1] Traditionally, various ethnic groups in Sweden unite over national ties from their country of origin. However, Sweden is now beginning to see that a myriad of groups are forging ties over Islamist aims with global overtures, rather than sticking to traditional ethnic divisions.
There is a low risk of terrorism directed at Sweden, so the focus of counterterrorism policy is to prevent Sweden from being a platform from which to carry out attacks or increase support for terrorism. Though radicalization is not a large problem in Sweden, recent criminal cases against residents of Iraqi descent who provided logistical support to terrorist plots demonstrates that radicalization is occurring.
To prevent radicalization, Sweden is taking comprehensive measures. Specific formal and informal programs have been created, such as fostering dialogue between Muslim communities and the government. The resulting relationship enabled the government to work closely with Muslim communities in 2007 to prevent a “cartoon crisis” reminiscent of the events in Denmark in 2005 that led to world-wide protests. The government also works within general government programs to assist immigrants in societal integration such as a program to include Swedish language training for immigrants, which is a key component to preventing societal isolation; avenues for youths to engage with teachers to prevent radicalization; and developing processes to assist people to exit terrorist networks in which they have become ensnared.
Additionally, Sweden is working with its European partners to identify and promote the voices of credible Islamic religious leaders to prevent ideologies of violence from spreading. On an international level, Sweden is working along with other European nations on a multi-lateral basis to engage in countries where terrorist groups originate to mitigate future threats, such as by investing in human rights and legal training in North Africa and ensuring that information sharing among nations occurs within the bounds of human rights. Sweden is establishing programs internally and internationally that consider the strong linkages between development and security, as well as the positive effects that cooperation can have.
Frank Cilluffo, Director of HSPI, agreed, noting that “we need to recalibrate in order to focus more on a comprehensive approach to engaging communities and countering terrorism.”
[1] Ivar Ekman, “Cold Comfort in Sweden for Iraqi Refugeees,” International Herald Tribune (13 June 2007) online at: http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/13/europe/sweden.php.
Resources
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The Ambassadors Roundtable Series is designed to provide Ambassadors to the United States and their key diplomatic staff with a forum to discuss current and future counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts on a regional or country-specific basis. In an effort to draw upon various insights and experiences, the Ambassadors Roundtable Series builds upon and institutionalizes efforts over the past two years to engage in a dialogue with members of the international community, policy makers, and practitioners.
