Today, terrorism has become the most acute problem of the whole modern world. It greatly destabilizes the situation both on the whole planet and in individual regions. Today, there are about 500 units that use terrorism for their own purposes. At the level of the world community, many norms and standards have been developed, the purpose of which is to escalate terrorism. Russia did not stand aside.
Historical background and terminology
It may seem that the concept of terrorism is completely new. However, back in the 18th century, the Jacobins (France) used the words “terror” and “terrorists”. And they used these words in relation to themselves, giving the words a positive connotation. But already during the French Revolution, these words began to be used as offensive and even became synonymous with the word "criminal".
By the 70s of the last century, the term was gaining a clear meaning. Today, terrorism is understood as the technique by which an organized criminal group or party tries to achieve certain goals, most often using systematic violence. Such groups use such frightening methods as arson and explosions, hijacking aircraft and hostage-taking.
The main goal of criminals is to influence the authorities and the public through the public manifestation of aggression. The worst thing in this situation is that in the process of a terrorist attack peaceful people who in such situations cannot defend themselves in any way. The basic principles of countering terrorism were formed later, closer to the beginning of the XXI century, when outbreaks of terrorist attacks began to appear around the world and, one might say, became widespread.
The biggest crimes of recent years
Many will not forget the double terrorist attack in St. Petersburg when in 2010 there was an explosion at two metro stations: Park Kultury and Lubyanka. As a result, 41 people died, and there were more than 80 victims.
A year later, another explosion at the Domodedovo airport. Then 37 people were killed, and 170 people were injured. In 2013, in Volgograd, 41 people became victims of the explosion. Regrettably, the list goes on and on.
Legislative framework
The basic principles of countering terrorism in the Russian Federation are laid down in SF No. 35 of 2006. It follows from the normative act that these crimes are a method of achieving certain goals that terrorists want to achieve.
The main principles of counteraction include:
- ensuring the security of all citizens of the state;
- inevitability of punishment for the crime committed;
- the integrated use of all techniques in the fight (social, propaganda, political and others);
- minimization and even complete elimination of the threat;
- joint work of state bodies and public, international organizations in preventing terrorist attacks.
In addition, the basic principles of countering terrorism of the Russian Federation include such measures as complete confidentiality and secrecy of any information that may relate to measures taken to prevent terrorist attacks. Also, no talk about negotiations with terrorists and minimizing the consequences of aggression.
State level struggle
The basic principles of countering terrorism in Russia include the fight against it. This is the activity of federal bodies, expressed in intelligence, investigative, special events. All these and other methods are used solely for the purpose of early detection of a planned crime, prevention and suppression of a terrorist attack.
At the level of government bodies, a comprehensive analysis of the data is carried out, with a clear distribution of the functional areas of responsibility of each body that fights violent crimes.
Threat minimization activities
This is one of the basic principles of countering terrorism. In this case, the priority is to prevent, in extreme cases, the minimization of human losses. After all, the main priority in this case is human life, and only then property. This includes timely medical care and emergency response. Subsequently, the state focuses on the adaptation (psychological and physical) of persons affected by the attack. The complex of measures also includes the restoration of the destroyed infrastructure, compensation for harm to the population and legal entities.
Preventive actions
The most basic principle of the international legal counter-terrorism is prevention. This is a whole range of measures, the purpose of which is to eliminate the causes that contribute to the formation of criminal gangs. At the state level, a systemic opposition to the development of criminal ideology is carried out. The complex of measures also includes improving the protection of potentially dangerous facilities and strengthening administrative and criminal penalties.
Classification
Today, along with the basic principles of countering terrorism, terrorist acts are distinguished by the nature of the crime:
Individual (unorganized) | Such actions are characterized by the fact that the initiator and executor is one person who is trying to express his hostility and aggression on the basis of his personal hostility to anyone or anything. As a rule, such a crime is spontaneous. |
Organized (collective) | In such cases, an entire group is carefully prepared for the crime. Today it is the most common type of terrorist attack. |
There is also a classification by scale:
- internal, that is, a crime occurs within a particular country and is committed by its fellow citizens;
- international, violent actions in this case are directed by representatives of one country against residents of another state.
To determine the basic principles and directions of countering terrorism, it is very important to determine the purpose of the attack. In the modern world, the following target areas are distinguished:
Nationalist | In such cases, all criminal activities are aimed at crowding out and even destroying cultural property through the seizure of land and property. |
Religious | Such violent acts are aimed at crowding out, subjugating, or even completely eliminating individuals of a particular faith. |
Cybernetic | This is a fairly new phenomenon and is associated with the advent of the Internet. All actions of criminals are aimed at incapacitating a banking or state computer system through the spread of the virus. |
Economic | In such cases, the actions of criminals are aimed at destabilizing the economic and financial stability of a particular country or individual financial entity |
In any case, no matter what the goals of the terrorists, there is no justification for their actions.
What can each person do?
Despite the existence of the basic principles of countering terrorism and extremism, measures to resolve the issue by the state, everyone should understand that there is always a threat. Criminals wage war without a front line and may be near at any time. Therefore, every citizen of the country should be vigilant and aware of the signs that give the right to suspect a criminal.
First of all, if the behavior of a particular person seems suspicious, then this should be reported immediately to law enforcement agencies. You should also try to remember the signs of this person or group of people. Perhaps the offender has special signs: tattoos or conspicuous facial features. In no case should you try to do something yourself, otherwise you can become the first victim.
Never pick up items left, especially in public places. The find should be reported to law enforcement.
If you can’t get away from the alleged offender, then watch his facial expressions. Before committing a crime, usually a person is very focused, tightens his lips and moves slowly.
The basic principles of countering terrorism and extremism make it possible, first of all, to prevent aggression and minimize human losses.