Belgian authorities are stepping up efforts to counter radicalisation and extremism among minors through improved information-sharing mechanisms.
Flemish Minister for Justice and Enforcement Zuhal Demir (N-VA) announced that the Flemish Agency for Adolescence has signed a cooperation agreement with the Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (CUTA), marking a significant step towards tackling the growing involvement of minors in terrorist activities.
Recent figures from State Security and CUTA highlight a worrying trend: minors are increasingly being drawn into terrorism, with as many as one-third of those seeking to commit acts of terrorist violence being underage. Last year, the youngest person identified in these investigations was just 13 years old.
Urgent Need for Intervention
While the absolute number of minors involved remains limited, with seven currently residing in Flemish Community Institutions due to terror or radicalisation cases, the trend is alarming, according to Demir. “This calls for a targeted approach to closely monitor and supervise these young people,” she stressed.
The newly signed agreement is aimed at enhancing the ability of Belgian authorities to assess risks and intervene at an early stage. “This agreement has come at the right time, given the increasing number of minors involved in such cases,” Demir stated.
Improved Information Exchange
One of the key aspects of the cooperation is an enhanced system for exchanging critical information. Under the agreement, minors suspected or convicted of terrorism or extremism will be actively reported to CUTA. This will allow authorities to better assess threats and ensure timely intervention.
CUTA will use the shared data to prepare comprehensive threat assessments, ensuring that at-risk minors receive the necessary supervision and support.
The initiative also aims to provide personalised follow-ups for minors who may remain susceptible to extremist ideologies even after receiving treatment.
To facilitate this secure data exchange, a closed VPN connection will be used, allowing the Flemish Agency for Adolescence and CUTA to share information while complying with privacy regulations.
The cooperation has been classified as “sensitive unclassified” to ensure that data is handled with the utmost care in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
A Collective Effort for a Safer Society
Authorities believe that this enhanced collaboration will not only improve early detection of radicalisation but also ensure that minors receive appropriate guidance and rehabilitation.
“Radicalisation and extremism are a persistent threat to our society. By joining forces with CUTA, we not only identify threats faster but also provide more personal guidance and support to young people at risk,” Demir stated.
The Flemish government sees this initiative as a crucial step in securing a safer future for young people and society as a whole.
The effort underscores the growing recognition that radicalisation among minors requires targeted interventions and a multidisciplinary approach.
With this strengthened cooperation, Belgian authorities are hoping to curb the rising trend of youth involvement in extremist activities and prevent future threats through effective monitoring, intervention, and support mechanisms.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
