Making reference to today’s terrorist attacks in Brussels and the recent bombings in Ankara and Istanbul, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “We at CESI are shocked about today’s horrendous terrorist attacks in Brussels and the brutal bombings in Ankara and Istanbul last week. At least 21 persons seem to have been killed in Brussels and at least 37 in Ankara and 5 in Istanbul. Many more were injured. What distresses me most is that, just like in previous attacks – Paris, Madrid, London or Copenhagen – peaceful civilians were the ones hit as random targets. This cannot be accepted.”

Mr Heeger added: “As a European trade union confederation representing primarily public sector workers, CESI has for a long time worked on solutions to address rising radicalist threats. Our members, be it from the education, justice or security sectors, have for long brought the problem of rising radicalist tendencies in European societies to the public attention. CESI has and will continue to contribute to finding a holistic and cross-sector approach to counter radicalisation in a sustainable and effective way.”

CESI has held several events and conferences on the challenge of radicalisation in the recent past. Its internal sector-specific trade councils – especially those on security policy and education policy – have deliberated and formally positioned themselves already on several occasions.

Mr Heeger concluded: “Brutal and coward attacks on civilians cannot be tolerated. Faced with imminent violent threats, the public authorities and the judiciary must be able to crack down on violence and ensure public order, security and freedom for all. Terrorism shall never win. Never. Ever.”