Planned attacks on Taylor Swift concerts

Following the cancellation of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna due to terror threats, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) demands the European governments to finally take credible measures against Islamism in Europe. “The EU and the European governments must provide more funds for initiatives to prevent radicalization. Islamist propaganda is primarily targeted at young people. There are significant shortcomings in this area,” stated Tabea Giesecke, STP expert on ethnic, linguistic, and religious minorities.

Until today, the European governments have not been able to agree on a roadmap for effective extremism prevention. There is not enough support for educational programs. At the same time, social media, for example, remains a safe space for extremist voices. “What is needed are better initiatives to reach young people – and an effective strategy to combat extremism. Also, it is especially important to listen to the voices of minorities who are affected by Islamist terror. With regard to Islamist extremism, this concerns minorities such as the Yazidis, Alevis, Jews, and many more. They do a lot of awareness work and yet are not being heard,” Giesecke said.

“Islamist attack plans must under no circumstances lead to Muslims being placed under general suspicion. Islamism is primarily directed against Muslims in Islamic countries and religious and ethnic minorities living there,” Giesecke warned. “Thus, Islamism is also becoming an increasing threat to minority groups. For example, there are Islamists who – in Germany and via social media – are calling for another genocide of the Yazidi people.”