Problem of Selective Control as a Means of Countering Terrorism (On the example of Poland, Latvia, Bulgaria)

Abstract

The use of ethnic discrimination in anti-terrorism activities is often preceded by terrorist attacks. The need for increased control over certain groups of citizens on the basis of their ethnic and / or national origin, as a rule, is justified by the extraordinary situation. However, ethnically selective control also exists where terrorist risks are low. The article discusses the relevant experience of Poland, Latvia and Bulgaria – countries where a low level of terrorist threat is officially declared. In all three countries, the main subject of ethnically selective control are people from the so-called “high-risk” countries. Discrimination against the citizens of these countries is carried out with the approval of the central authorities. The concept of “high-risk countries” is associated with the concept of “high-risk third countries” having strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing regimes”, introduced by the European Commission, as well as with the concept of “target countries” used in the United States. The inclusion of Palestine and the Caucasian republics of the Russian Federation in the list of high-risk countries suggests that in Poland, Latvia and Bulgaria Russian and Israeli methods of countering terrorism are also taken into account. Poland, Latvia and Bulgaria use similar approaches to the fight against terrorism, they are located close to each other and they have a common recent historical past. This makes it very likely either a direct exchange of experience in the implementation of ethnically selective control between them, or the incorporation of relevant experience in developing their own counter-terrorism measures.