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Terrorism has killed 753 people in Europe and 1125 Europeans outside the continent, since 2000

(B2) Each of us remembers the most recent terrorist attacks, the one targeting the Bataclan in 2015 or that of Brussels in 2016. But what remains of the other attacks and terrorist attacks that have followed one another since. The number of victims of terrorism is nevertheless striking: 753 people have been killed in 36 attacks on European soil since 2000, and 1125 Europeans

Maite Pagazaurtundua during the presentation. (LH)

These figures are taken from the Black and White Book of Terrorism in Europe presented, this Wednesday (March 6), in Brussels, at the European Parliament. A valuable study, because it establishes the first complete mapping of terrorism in the European Union, from the point of view of the victims. It also makes it possible not to forget that the attacks in Madrid in public transport, 15 years ago, on Thursday March 11, 2004, which were the deadliest (Read: The Madrid bombing, fifteen years ago already)

A point-by-point census

Launched on the initiative of the Spanish MEP Maite Pagazaurtundua *, and produced with the support of associations supporting victims, this 'Black Book' uses different variables to create an exhaustive database, whether on the types of attacks (jihadist, nationalist, suicidal, ...), the weapons used (assault pistols, bombs, vehicles, ...), but also the profile of the victims (profession, age, nationalities, etc.) and the place of the attack. In total, more than 28.000 pieces of data are put into a single spreadsheet.

630 Europeans killed in Europe since 2000

In the end, the study draws up a list of the 753 people killed in terrorist attacks between 2000 and 2018 on European Union territory. 630 of them are European and 116 did not have a European passport. Among the latter, Americans, Turks, Israelis, Tunisians, Algerians, etc.

What about cross-border victims?

Of the European victims, 97% (or 12,9%) were killed while not in their country. This often makes the situation very difficult for families who have to face an administration (and a bureaucracy) that they do not know. A problem that is all the more important since this " trend increasing since 2015 underlines the MEP, with attacks in very touristic places.

European states have not yet taken the measure of this phenomenon, she denounces. Today, only three European countries have already included in their legislation provisions for this type of case.

1115 killed outside European borders

The interesting point of this black book "is that it is not satisfied with the victims on European soil, but also identifies Europeans" victims of terrorism across borders ". We thus arrive at a figure of 1115 people of various professions: tourists, expatriate workers, humanitarian personnel, journalists, agents of the armed forces. Which is noticeable.

120 Europeans were thus killed during the attacks of September 11, 2001, in New York. It is Afghanistan, however, which remains the country where the greatest number of Europeans have been killed: 632 exactly.

On the French side, the database lists 142 dead nationals in the world. Most of them died in Afghanistan (75), 20 in Mali, 11 in Morocco and 11 in Pakistan, etc.

Terrorism is not just Daesh

Jihadism is the deadliest terrorism causing 84% of victims, far ahead of nationalism (12%). The separatist terrorism of ETA hit Spain hard, committing 26 assassinations in 2000. In total, since 2000, 111 people have been killed in so-called 'nationalist' terrorist attacks, 14 by acts terrorists from far-right groups and 13 by far-left groups.

Spain and France: the most affected

It is Spain that has been most affected by terrorist attacks, with a total of 268 lives lost since 2000. We may have forgotten that. But the deadliest attack so far is that of Madrid, on March 11, 2004, the ten coordinated explosions against four suburban trains in Madrid killed 192 people. This is the first Islamic terrorist attack in Europe. It is also the biggest attack, still today. For France, the count is 263 people.

Behind Spain and France, we find the United Kingdom (129 victims), Belgium (40) and Germany (29) also suffered from large-scale acts. Of the 28 Member States, only ten have (so far) been unaffected by terrorism.

Support for survivors: still a lot to do

All over Europe there are memorials to those who died in the World Wars. " This does not exist for our dead regrets Philippe Vansteekiste, founder of the association for victims of terrorism V-Europe **. For him, who lost a sister during the attacks in Brussels, “ forgetting is the worst thing ". This book is " how to remember them. It is the first time that the names of all the victims are written on the same page. The document also takes stock of the support provided to those who survive, and to families. Because " the dead victims are the visible part. Let's not forget the physically or psychologically injured, i.e. around 10 to 20 people for one death insists Maite Pagazaurtundua. These victims receive little or no support. The MEP calls for the creation of a European directive on the management of victims of terrorism. Defeating the terrorists is also that...

(Leonor Hubaut)

Download the study FR

* Maite Pagazaurtundua is a member of UPyD, 'Union, progress and democracy'. A freedom activist in the Basque country, her life changed when one of her brothers, Joseba Pagazaurtundúa, was killed by the independence organization ETA in 2003. She is one of the founders of ¡Basta Ya! victims of terrorism.

** A monument to the victims of terrorism was inaugurated in Brussels on March 22, 2017 in the 'petite' rue de la Loi, at the foot of the buildings of the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS). But unlike war memorials, it has no name.

Read also: The twelve trends of contemporary terrorism according to Europol

And our files:

Leonor Hubaut

© B2 - Bruxelles2 is a French online media that focuses on political Europe (powers, defence, foreign policy, internal security). It follows and analyzes developments in European policy, unvarnished and without concessions. Approved by the CPPAP. Member of SPIIL. Please quote "B2" or "Bruxelles2" in case of recovery Leonor Hubaut is a journalist. Graduated in international relations from the Free University of Brussels (specialization in globalization). She covers for B2 the work of the European Parliament, CSDP missions and African issues. Sahel specialist.

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