Applying ethnic profiling to prevent Islamic terrorism

11.10.2016

Question for written answer P-007682-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Jussi Halla-aho (ECR)

Police authorities in Member States routinely profile suspected offenders for the purposes of criminal investigation and crime prevention. Among other things, profiling can cover physical appearance, ethnic background, language, and behaviour. However, it has to be based on the principles of presumption of innocence and impartiality and must also tie in with witnesses’ testimonies or other important information about a given crime. No profiling is allowed when it is based solely on a person’s immutable characteristics, such as ethnicity, and not on a suspicion of a crime. Ethnic profiling in particular is perceived to be discriminatory because — allegedly — it places individual minorities under a blanket suspicion and makes them bear the burden of proof in criminal investigations.

Effective prevention of Islamic terrorism in Europe requires the authorities to take a dispassionate attitude. That being the case, applying ethnic profiling to thwart Islamic fundamentalism is an option that deserves serious consideration, notwithstanding the fact that profiling poses problems as regards fundamental rights and human rights. Those who perpetrate terrorist attacks in support of Islamic fundamentalist organisations can be readily matched with an offender profile in which ethnicity, in addition to language and behaviour, carries significant weight. Proactive security measures to forestall terrorism, for example checks on persons and vehicles, wiretapping, house searches, and arrests, should therefore be aimed particularly at people whose ethnic roots are in the Middle East, North Africa, or Central Asia. This view is supported by the fact that persons with the abovementioned ethnic backgrounds have been over-represented among the perpetrators of Islamic extremism and terrorist attacks. An overly sweeping interpretation of fundamental rights and human rights should not prevent effective counterterrorist operations from being carried out in Member States.

Is the Commission prepared to propose that ethnic profiling be applied with a view to preventing Islamic terrorism, regardless of the problems entailed in terms of fundamental rights and human rights?