Strengthening Security and Human Rights: CT JUST Workshop Unites EU and Arab Partners to Tackle Refugee and Terrorism Challenges

The CT JUST programme, funded by the EU to strengthen criminal justice and counter-terrorism capacities in partner countries, is holding a pivotal workshop this week in Málaga, Spain. This initiative brings together law enforcement, judiciary, and counter-terrorism experts from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, France, along with representatives from the International University of Rabat, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (EUROJUST), and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EUROPOL). The workshop addresses the dual challenge of managing the ongoing refugee crisis from conflict zones in Syria and Iraq, while countering the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) who attempt to use these migration routes.

Above all, we cannot lose sight of the humanitarian imperatives, even as we confront those who seek to exploit this human tragedy and the vulnerabilities of states.

With millions displaced and seeking refuge in neighbouring countries or attempting entry into the EU, the humanitarian crisis presents complex security challenges. CT JUST aims to foster stronger cooperation between Arab and European nations to address these challenges, prioritising both security measures and human rights protections for refugees. The workshop highlights the importance of cross-border integration among law enforcement officers, judges, and prosecutors, with a EUROJUST representative underscoring the need for improved cooperation mechanisms. Key sessions also explore how technology, such as biometric systems and open-source intelligence (OSINT), can help track FTFs without compromising the safety and dignity of refugees.

Participants are sharing best practices for identifying and prosecuting FTFs, drafting recommendations on managing migration flows, and discussing ways to strengthen collaboration frameworks with EU entities like EUROPOL and EUROJUST. These combined efforts aim to mitigate the impact of FTFs within refugee populations while ensuring humane treatment for those genuinely seeking safety.

As Julián Cabrero López, Senior Judge and CT JUST Key Expert overseeing the workshop, remarked, "No step is too small when it comes to strengthening our collective response to the complex reality of refugee flows. We must consider multiple factors, including security, integration, and the perception within host countries that their identities might be compromised or diluted. Above all, we cannot lose sight of the humanitarian imperatives, even as we confront those who seek to exploit this human tragedy and the vulnerabilities of states."