REMVE Initiative
The growing number of cases of Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism (REMVE)* around the world presents a dangerous and increasingly transnational threat. Criminal justice actors have a critical role to play in countering this threat. From identifying, investigating, disrupting and prosecuting REMVE cells, networks and lone actors, to incarcerating REMVE offenders and expanding pre-trial services, to providing prison rehabilitation programmes and post-release monitoring, the scope of criminal justice practitioners’ responsibilities in this area are broad and wide-ranging.
Over the past twenty years, criminal justice practitioners have gained significant experience in counter-terrorism, primarily in addressing the threat posed by ISIS, al Qa’ida and their affiliates and branches, along with individuals inspired by their rhetoric. While some of this experience and expertise is directly relevant to countering REMVE, there are also significant differences that require new knowledge, approaches, strategies and tools.
* REMVE is also referred to as Violent Right-Wing Extremism or RWT by the United Kingdom and other European governments.
With support from the
Government of the United States
Government of the United Kingdom
Government of Sweden
SPOTLIGHT
UNGA 76 Side Event: Countering REMVE
On 23 September, the IIJ, along with the Governments of Sweden and the United States, hosted an online side event in the margins of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly.
The Side Event on Countering the Transnational Threat of REMVE brought together an expert panel of senior policy officials from the Governments of the United States of America and Sweden, and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. The panel discussed what is a concerning and growing threat at both the national and transnational levels, measures in response, and the importance of the new IIJ Criminal Justice Practitioner’s Guide for Addressing REMVE.
During the event, the U.S. Department of State announced the establishment of a new Counterterrorism Law Enforcement Forum (CTLEF) to serve as a venue for senior officials to engage in dialogue and coordination on issues of common concern related to international cooperation to counter REMVE threats.
Did you miss the event? Watch a replay.
Download the Guide
Launch: REMVE Practitioner's Guide
In July 2021, we launched the much anticipated IIJ Criminal Justice Practitioner’s Guide for Addressing REMVE, with support from the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom,
The Launch event brought together 115 practitioners, policymakers and civil society representatives from 30 different countries. The High Level Day featured presentations by senior officials from some of the countries involved in the Guide’s development. A Practitioner’s Day followed, focused on addressing REMVE threat in various jurisdictions.
Did you miss the Launch? Watch a replay (High Level Day)
GCTF Capacity-Building in East Africa and West Africa Region Working Groups Joint Virtual Workshop on Border Security Management (BSM): Best Practices and Effective Cross-Border Cooperation
In December 2020, the IIJ was pleased to participate in the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) Capacity-Building in the East Africa and West Africa Region Virtual Workshop on Border Security Management (BSM), a joint initiative of the...
IIJ Judicial Capacity-Building Initiative: Joint IIJ – UNODC Second Online Expert Meeting on Recommendations on Remote Access to Judicial Proceedings in Terrorism Cases
In November 2020, the IIJ and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), convened a Second Online Expert Meeting on Remote Access to Judicial Proceedings in Terrorism Cases. The meeting gathered more than 25...
IIJ Investigations Initiative: Final Phase – Multi-Agency ‘Intelligence-Led, Evidence Driven’ Counter-Terrorism Investigation Capacity Building, Cameroon
In November 2020, the IIJ convened the final phase of its IIJ Investigations Initiative: Multi-agency ‘Intelligence-led, Evidence-driven’ Counter-Terrorism Investigation capacity-building programme. Generously supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, this phase engaged practitioners...
IIJ Investigations Initiative: Scoping Meeting – IIJ Guide on Obtaining Information and Evidence Through Interviewing
In November 2020, the IIJ convened a Scoping Meeting under the auspices of the IIJ Investigations Initiative with international subject-matter experts from Kenya, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the United States to assess the need for...
IIJ REMVE Initiative: First Online Expert Meeting on Countering REMVE
In October 2020, the IIJ convened a First Online Expert Meeting on Countering Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism (REMVE) under the new IIJ REMVE Initiative, which is being implemented with support from the Governments of...
IIJ Global Central Authorities Initiative: Online Workshop for Ugandan Prosecutors on MLA
In October 2020, the IIJ convened an online workshop for 42 prosecutors from Uganda aimed at enhancing their understanding of mutual legal assistance (MLA) processes and developing skills to enable them to seek and obtain evidence...
IIJ Judicial Capacity-Building Initiative: Joint IIJ – ICCT Workshop on Applying Administrative Measures within a Counter-Terrorism Context & Rule of Law Framework
On 13, 15, 20, & 22 October 2020, the IIJ and the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism – The Hague (ICCT), convened a four-day online workshop on Applying Administrative Measures within a Counter-Terrorism Context and Rule of...
IIJ Judicial Capacity-Building Initiative: Joint IIJ – UNODC Online Side Event on Partnerships in Strengthening the Use of Technology in Criminal Justice Responses to Terrorism during & in the Aftermath of Pandemics and Disasters
In September 2020, the IIJ and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime’s Terrorism Prevention Branch (UNODC/TPB), convened an event in the margins of the 2020 OSCE-wide Counter Terrorism Conference on Effective Partnerships against Terrorism...
IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative: Practitioners’ Notes – Online Sectoral Workshop for Detention Officials
In September 2020, the IIJ convened the most recent in a series of sector-specific capacity-building workshops under the IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative. The Online Sectoral Workshop for Detention Officials brought together 37 practitioners from fourteen countries...
IIJ Core Course: Using Information Derived from Intelligence to Generate Evidence for Terrorism Investigations and Prosecutions
In July 2020, with funding from the Unites States, the IIJ convened the first online iteration of the Core Course: Using Information Derived from Intelligence to Generate Evidence for Terrorism Investigations and Prosecutions. The online course was convened with both...
IIJ Addressing Homegrown Terrorism Initiative: Online Workshop on Implementing the GCTF’s Rabat – Washington Good Practices, Special Focus on Response to Terrorist Attacks
On 15, 21 – 22 and 28 – 30 July 2020, with funding from the Government of the United States, the IIJ convened its fourth thematic workshop on Addressing Homegrown Terrorism with a Special Focus on...
IIJ Judicial-Capacity Building Initiative: Joint IIJ – UNODC First Online Expert Meeting on Recommendations on Remote Access to Judicial Proceedings in Terrorism Cases
In July 2020, the IIJ, together with the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), convened a First Expert Meeting on Remote Access to Judicial Proceedings in Terrorism Cases – a topic which has particular...
IIJ Global Central Authorities Initiative: East Africa Regional Online Workshop for Developing Standardised Guidelines for Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) on Criminal Matters
In July 2020, the IIJ convened an online workshop for 32 legal counsel and prosecutors from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, to form in-country working groups to take on the responsibility of drafting common guidelines for the...
IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative: Practitioners’ Notes – Online Sectoral Workshop for Investigators
On 16 – 18 and 30 June 2020, the IIJ convened its first online workshop under the IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative. The Online Sectoral Workshop for Investigators brought together 55 investigators and other practitioners including defence...
IIJ Multi-Actor P/CVE Interventions Workstream: Rule of Law-Based Multi-Actor Intervention Programmes for Preventing Violent Extremism – Practitioners’ and Curriculum Development Virtual Consultations
In June 2020, the IIJ convened five online consultations for 59 practitioners from 15 countries with experience in designing and implementing multi-actor programmes for preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) with a particular focus on referral...
IIJ Investigations Initiative: Phase V – Trinidad & Tobago Counter-Terrorism Investigation Project
In March 2020, the IIJ delivered the fifth phase of a bespoke Trinidad & Tobago Counter-Terrorism Investigation project under the IIJ Investigations Initiative. Generously supported by the British High Commission, this phase concentrated on capacity-building for judicial and prosecutorial...
IIJ Multi-Actor P/CVE Interventions Workstream: First Practitioners’ and Curriculum Development Workshop
The IIJ, in cooperation with the Danish Centre for Prevention of Extremism, convened an expert workshop in Copenhagen in February 2020. The workshop brought together 40 practitioners from 16 countries with experience in designing and implementing...
IIJ RFTFs Initiative: Rehabilitating and Reintegrating TFs/RFTFs – Final Joint Workshop with Chad and Mali
In February 2020, the IIJ convened the final in a series of seven capacity-building workshops on Rehabilitating and Reintegrating RFTFs in Chad and Mali. The previous six capacity-building workshops (three each in Chad and Mali) focused...
IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative: Practitioners’ Notes – Sectoral Workshop for Defence Counsel
In January 2020, the IIJ convened in Malta a Sectoral Workshop for Defense Counsel under the IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative, one of eight IIJ Core Initiatives. The Sectoral Workshop gathered 50 defence counsel and other practitioners,...
IIJ Investigations Initiative: Phase 3 – Multi-Agency ‘Intelligence-led, Evidence-driven’ Counter-Terrorism Investigation Capacity Building, Cameroon
In January 2020, the IIJ convened in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the third phase of a multi-agency counter-terrorism ‘Intelligence-led, Evidence-driven’ capacity building programme, delivered under the IIJ Investigations Initiative, with generous support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and...
IIJ Global Central Authorities Initiative: West Africa Regional Workshop on Enhancing Judicial Cooperation in Line with the IIJ Good Practices for Central Authorities
In January 2020, the IIJ convened a capacity-building workshop on Enhancing Regional and International Cooperation Between Criminal Justice Sector Stakeholders in Terrorism Cases, which focused on the specific needs and experiences of practitioners in the West Africa...
IIJ Judicial Capacity Building Initiative: East Africa Regional Workshop on Evidence & the Abuja Recommendations
In December 2019, the IIJ convened an East Africa Regional Workshop on Evidence in Istanbul, with support from the Governments of Switzerland and Türkiye. The workshop was held under the auspices of the IIJ Judicial Capacity-Building Initiative; one of eight IIJ...
IIJ Battlefield Evidence Workstream: Senior Leaders Seminar
In December 2019, the IIJ, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for Counterterrorism, convened a Battlefield Evidence Senior Leaders Seminar (SLS) in Malta. The Seminar focused on how material collected or received by...
IIJ Investigations Initiative: Phase 2 – Training Multi-Agency ‘Intelligence-led, Evidence-driven’ Counter-Terrorism Investigation Capacity Building, Cameroon
In November 2019, the IIJ delivered two further skills-based training modules under Phase 2 of its bespoke Cameroon Multi-agency ‘Intelligence-led, Evidence-driven’ Counter-Terrorism Investigation Capacity-Building project to senior representatives of intelligence, law enforcement, prosecutors and judges in...
IIJ REMVE Initiative: Scoping Workshop on Addressing REMVE
In November 2019, the IIJ welcomed 36 policymakers, academics, and practitioners to a Scoping Workshop on Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism (REMVE) in Valletta, Malta. The workshop, convened under the auspices of the IIJ REMVE Initiative,...
IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative: Practitioners’ Notes – Sectoral Workshop for Judges
In October 2019, the IIJ convened in Malta a Sectoral Workshop for Judges under the IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative – one of eight IIJ Core Initiatives. The Sectoral Workshop gathered 60 judges, investigators, prosecutors, defence counsels, correctional officers and other...
IIJ Judicial Capacity-Building Initiative: Specialised Training for the Judiciary – Early Post-Terrorist Attack Management
In October 2019, the IIJ – in partnership with the European Union’s CT MENA Project – convened a Specialised International Seminar on Judicial Management Post-Terrorist Attack. The Seminar, held in Abidjan with the support of the...
IIJ RFTFs Initiative: Rehabilitating and Reintegrating TFs/RFTFs – Third Mali Workshop
In September 2019, the IIJ convened a workshop on National Policy and Interagency Cooperation in Bamako, Mali. The workshop brought together judges, prosecutors, investigators, correction officers, gendarmerie, social workers and religious leaders from various organisations in...
IIJ Core Course: Successful Prosecution of Terrorism Cases
In September 2019, the IIJ convened in Malta its first iteration of a new IIJ Core Course: Successful Prosecution of Terrorism Cases. The course was attended by 71 judges, prosecutors, investigators, defence counsel and experts from 19...
IIJ Investigations Initiative: Phase 1 – Scoping Multi-Agency ‘Intelligence Led, Evidence-Driven’ Counter-Terrorism Investigation Capacity-Building, Cameroon
In July 2019, the IIJ met with senior stakeholders from Cameroon’s justice, law enforcement and intelligence agencies in Yaoundé to develop multi-agency ‘Intelligence-led, Evidence-driven’ counter-terrorism investigations training and capacity-building. Productive discussions were held with leadership figures from...
IIJ Global Central Authorities Initiative: East Africa Regional Workshop on Enhancing Judicial Cooperation in Line with the IIJ Good Practices for Central Authorities
In September 2019, the IIJ brought together 28 judges, prosecutors and investigators from six countries across the East Africa region – Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda along with practitioners from Australia, United States, INTERPOL,...
IIJ Prison Management Initiative: Effective Prison Management of VEs and TOs, including Vulnerable Populations
In July – August 2019, the IIJ held a workshop in Marrakech, Morocco, on Effective Prison Management of Violent Extremist and Terrorist Offenders, including Vulnerable Populations. The workshop was convened under the IIJ Prison Management Initiative – one of...
IIJ Core Course: Using Information Derived from Intelligence to Generate Evidence in Terrorism Investigations and Prosecutions
In July 2019, the IIJ convened the first iteration of the newly developed IIJ Core Course: Using Information Derived from Intelligence to Generate Evidence in Terrorism Investigations and Prosecutions. The Core Course, held in Malta with...
IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative: Practitioners’ Notes – Sectoral Workshop for Prosecutors and Investigating Magistrates
In July 2019, the IIJ convened in Malta a Sectoral Workshop for Prosecutors and Investigating Magistrates under the IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative – one of eight IIJ Core Initiatives. The Sectoral Workshop was attended by 51...
IIJ Addressing Homegrown Terrorism Initiative: Implementing the GCTF’s Rabat – Washington Good Practices, Special Focus on Intervention
In July 2019, the IIJ welcomed 41 criminal justice practitioners, including 10 prosecutors, 7 judges, 5 law enforcement officers, 16 policymakers, and senior advisors, analysts and psychologists to the Workshop on Implementing the GCTF Rabat-Washington Good Practices...
IIJ RFTFs Initiative: Rehabilitating and Reintegrating TFs/RFTFs – Third Chad Workshop
In June 2019, the IIJ convened a workshop in N’Djamena on Understanding and Effectively Addressing the Terrorist Fighter Phenomenon in Chad. The workshop brought together judges, prosecutors, investigators, corrections officers, social workers, psychologists and religious leaders from...
IIJ Judicial Capacity-Building Initiative: West Africa Regional Workshop on Evidence & the Abuja Recommendations
In June 2019, the IIJ convened a West Africa Regional Workshop on Evidence in Dakar, co-hosted with the Government of Senegal, and supported by the Governments of Canada and Switzerland. The workshop was held under the auspices...
IIJ Global Central Authorities Initiative: Regional MENA Workshop
In June 2019, the IIJ convened a workshop in Cairo on enhancing regional and international cooperation between criminal justice sector stakeholders in terrorism cases. The workshop brought together 40 judges, prosecutors, and investigators from nine countries...
IIJ Investigations Initiative: Tunisian National Workshop on Investigating and Prosecuting Terrorism Cases
In June 2019, with financial support from the Government of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the IIJ implemented a National Workshop on Investigating and Prosecuting Terrorism Cases within a Rule of Law Framework...
IIJ Battlefield Evidence Workstream: Judges Workshop
In April 2019, the IIJ convened a Battlefield Evidence Judges Workshop in Malta with the support of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism. The workshop brought together 53 practitioners and experts, among them representatives of...
IIJ RFTFs Initiative: Rehabilitating and Reintegrating TFs/RFTFs – Second Chad Workshop
In April 2019, the IIJ convened a workshop in N’Djamena on Understanding and Effectively Addressing the Terrorist Fighter Phenomenon in Chad. The workshop brought together judges, prosecutors, investigators, correction officers, social workers, psychologists and religious leaders from...
IIJ Core Course: Successful Prosecution of Terrorism Cases – Curriculum Development Expert Meeting
In March 2019, the IIJ convened a Curriculum Development Expert Meeting for a new Core Course on Successful Prosecutions of Terrorism Cases. The expert meeting, held in Malta, brought together 27 practitioners (including investigators, prosecutors, judges,...
IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative: Practitioners’ Notes – Focus Group Meeting
In March 2019, the IIJ convened a Practitioners’ Notes – Focus Group Meeting under the auspices of the IIJ Juvenile Justice Initiative. The meeting brought together 38 practitioners and experts with deep experience with juvenile justice in...
IIJ Investigations Initiative: Malta Police Counter-Terrorism Unit Training
In March 2019, the IIJ convened, with support from the Government of the United Kingdom, a three-day capacity-building workshop for counter-terrorism officials in Malta. This bespoke training programme focused on multi-agency, intelligence-led and evidence-driven counter terrorism...
IIJ RFTFs Initiative: Workshop on Criminal Justice Responses to Returning or Repatriated FTFs and their Accompanying Family Members
In February 2019, the IIJ convened a workshop in Malta under the auspices of the IIJ Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters Initiative, and with support from the Government of the United States, focused on Criminal Justice Responses to Returning...
IIJ RFTFs Initiative: Rehabilitating and Reintegrating TFs/RFTFs – Second Mali Workshop
In February 2019, the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) convened the second in a series of four workshops in Bamako on the rehabilitation and reintegration of terrorist fighters. The workshop was...
IIJ Core Course: Using Intelligence to Generate Evidence for Terrorism Investigations and Prosecutions
In February 2019, the IIJ convened a Curriculum Development Expert Meeting for a new IIJ Core Course on Using Intelligence to Generate Evidence for Terrorism Investigations and Prosecutions. The Expert Meeting, held in Malta with the...
IIJ Global Central Authorities Initiative: Curriculum Development Expert Meeting
On 31 January – 1 February 2019, the IIJ was pleased to welcome to Malta criminal justice experts from eight countries and international organisations to contribute to the development of a dynamic new curriculum to support...
IIJ Addressing Homegrown Terrorism Initiative: Global Conference on Implementing the GCTF’s Rabat – Washington Good Practices
In January 2019, the IIJ welcomed more than fifty criminal justice practitioners to Valletta, Malta, for the IIJ Global Workshop on Implementing the GCTF Rabat – Washington Good Practices on the Prevention, Detection, Intervention, and Response to...
IIJ Battlefield Evidence Workstream: Global Workshop
In January 2019, the IIJ convened a Global Workshop on Battlefield Evidence in Malta with the support of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism. The workshop brought together 68 practitioners and experts, among them representatives...
IIJ RFTFs Initiative: Rehabilitating and Reintegrating TFs/RFTFs – First Chad Workshop
In January 2019, the IIJ convened a workshop in N’Djamena on Applying The Hague-Marrakech Memorandum and Addendum to Coordinate an Effective Response to the TF-FTF-RFTF Phenomena in Chad. The workshop brought together judges, prosecutors, investigators, correction officers,...
IIJ Judicial Capacity-Building Initiative: Prosecutors in the Southern Mediterranean
The IIJ, in partnership with the European Union, organised an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) in Beirut in January 2019 to review and finalise the IIJ Prosecutor Outline, which was developed over the course of 2018 under...
Latest Publications
Report: Policy Roundtable on Advancing Justice Responses for Accountability for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Linked to Terrorism
