(New York, N.Y.) – Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Executive Director David Ibsen issued the following statement today to mark the 15th European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism and the anniversary of the 2004 Madrid Train Bombings, which killed 193 people. 

“The coordinated attacks in the Spanish capital 15 years ago today were the beginning of the wave of terror attacks which continues to blight Europe. As we remember the victims of that attack and those lives that have been claimed since then, we need to ensure that the security of European citizens remains paramount and is clearly reflected in any regulation being put forward.

“The EU has recently proposed regulating terrorist content online and enhancing the rules around the purchasing of chemicals that could be used to make explosive devices. Closer information sharing between European counter-terrorism security services must also take place. While it is encouraging that Europe is taking action, the way forward involves greater public awareness as well as appropriate regulation.

“The European Parliament will must act now to combat the proliferation of terrorist content online. There are hundreds of platforms passively hosting terrorist content. Unless they are forced to, few will take responsibility for taking it down permanently and ensuring that extremists cannot freely spread their messages of hate, intolerance and violence. Effective legislation is needed to keep Europeans safe from attacks like the one in Madrid and the many that have taken place since.”

To explore the CEP report: Spain: Extremism & Counter-Extremism, please click here.