By Martin Banks - 8th June 2010
We need more, not less, dialogue
Jean-Paul Laborde
The UN's top anti-terror supremo has warned that "very tough" immigration policies may exacerbate tensions between cultural groups in the EU.
Jean-Paul Laborde told TheParliament.com that a crackdown on immigration risked leading to an increase in "violent extremism".
Laborbe, the head of the UN counter-terrorism implementation task force, was responding to questions about the likelihood of the party led by anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders doubling its seats in the upcoming Dutch elections.
The party has campaigned on a ticket of ending the "Islamic invasion" and its manifesto proposes an immigration cut.
However, Laborbe, a former French judge, warned against any move, in the Netherlands or elsewhere, which could increase "tension between communities".
He added, "We need more, not less, dialogue, between different cultures and address the root causes behind terrorism."
He said this, in turn, increases the risk of terrorism, extremism and radicalisation.
The New York-based official, who was in Brussels for a series of meetings with senior EU officials, advocates "well thought out" immigration policies that "avoid exacerbating" such tensions.
As some member states, such as the UK, increase their immigration controls, Laborbe also argued against a "fortress Europe".
"I would not want us to return to the middle ages," he said. "We need successful immigration policies and, currently, I am not sure we have achieved that."
Turning to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, he said that major concern in some quarters, the US-led coalition was "going in the right direction".
But Laborbe, who took up the post last year, warned, "We have to work more closely with civil society and also the media which is the medium through which we try to convey our messages."
The task force he leads was set up by the UN secretary general to coordinate action to counter terrorism.
It also assists member states with the implementation of the global counter-terror strategy.
He said he was satisfied with current levels of cooperation on anti-terrorism between the UN and EU.
"They are very good, particularly on conflict prevention, but more needs to be done," he added.
"The EU has the capacity to be a world leader in this field and that is something I would like to see it fulfil."
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