The word terrorism comes from the Latin word terror, meaning dread or horror.
Terror is the planned spreading of fear and horror to make people obedient or submissive, and the use of terror to achieve political or economic goals is called terrorism.
The word terrorism was first used during the French Revolution, which began in 1789, to describe a general state of fear deliberately created for political purposes.
C.T.O.
Why do we exist, and why is it important to educate the public about the ways individuals and groups are exploited for terrorist purposes?
Based on events in recent years and much research by domestic and international institutions, it is well known that in the Balkans there are political interests in intimidating the public – in other words, in using terror for that purpose.
The international police organisation C.T.O. (World Police Counter-Terrorism Organization) aims to promote the fight against terrorism through education and public awareness, action, and support for the work of local institutions fighting terrorism.
With this article we want to raise citizens’ awareness of the danger of terrorism and of the ways individuals and groups are exploited for terrorist purposes.
The most common and easiest way of exploiting people to commit a terrorist act is to push and train them towards extreme beliefs – whether religious or political, this method has proved very effective.
It must therefore be stressed that no religion or legitimate political ideology, when properly practised, encourages extreme action, following or practice.
This is a very important factor and holds the key to early detection and identification of all groups that practise or offer something in an extreme way. It must be a warning sign for all of us to investigate and to follow with caution – especially young people who are being offered an extreme way of practising and professing a faith, political or other beliefs.
Of course, we can simplify this and say that anything offered to us that shows signs of extreme practice is not right – it is wrong.
Given all of the above, it is the duty of all of us to fight and act within our means to prevent the activities of terrorist groups in the Balkans, by educating ourselves and learning how terrorist groups operate, and the ways and methods of detecting and preventing terrorism.
Most terrorist acts committed so far have shown that terrorist groups use young people whom they deliberately and systematically prepare and train for such an act, through extreme religious practice, so that the person comes to believe they are carrying out the terrorist act as a holy warrior ready to give their own life for their beliefs.
As an example, I would mention the terrorist attack on the US Embassy in Sarajevo carried out by Mevlid Jašarević in 2011. It is clear that during the trial Jašarević changed his position several times: at the very start of the trial he justified the terrorist act as revenge on the American people for what they do to Muslims in the East, while later in the proceedings he admitted that he had been exploited through extreme religious belief, and that the people who had pushed him into the act were now free while he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
This is one piece of evidence of the activity of terrorist organisations that aim to intimidate and to demonstrate power in the Balkans. Their existence and activity further threaten the unstable political scene in our region, which, in the eyes of major global projects, places us among the risk areas for business and investment in economic development.
Through the work of our organisation C.T.O., I want to highlight what we do and encourage the public – especially young people who are being offered extreme religious, political or any other beliefs – to be guided above all by common sense, to rely on international and local laws and religious rules, and to act rightly and honourably; and also to feel free to point out the existence of extremism, so that together we can succeed in the fight against terrorism.
I take this opportunity to invite and welcome all well-meaning individuals, associations and informal groups of citizens to join the common fight against terrorism – follow us through our education, seminars and programme of activities.
Arnes Bjelić, CTO member.