CSOs engaging in the prevention and countering of ethno-nationalism and violent right-wing extremism

Abstract

CSOs have been alarmed by the increasing threat of violent right-wing extremism (VRWE) and the possible evolution of the "normalisation" of non-violent right-wing extremism (RWE) and its inseparable trait-ethnonationalism both in the Western Balkans (WBs) and in the EU. The potential of RWE to exacerbate political conflict and turn into VRWE has been of concern for citizens and practitioners in the WBs for some time already, as its roots can be traced to structural polarisation, group grievances, and an inability to disentangle violent legacies and to address exclusionary clerical (religious) ethno-nationalism 2. The promotion of effective cooperation between CSOs, understanding their needs and viewpoints on P/CVE is a pivotal first move towards extensively tackling harmful influences of (V)RWE in the WBs. For this reason, RAN organised a regional small-scale meeting in Belgrade with representatives of CSOs working directly or indirectly on P/CVE, with the aim of raising awareness, establishing a network, discussing challenges and sharing approaches. The main insights derived from the meeting are:

Keywords: Far-right, Right-wing, Far right, Right wing, Ethnonationalism, nationalism, ethnic, ethnicities, ethnic, extremism, violent extremism, radicalisation, radicalization, radicalism, political violence, prevention, combating, countering, terrorism, PCVE