Jacob Brown
White supremacists are preparing people in action under cover of ‘active clubs’ encouraging self-defense, counter-extremist experts say.
Monitoring Australian White Supremacists and Neo-Nazis: Urgent Call from Counter-Extremist Organisation
A global counter-extremist organisation has urged a Senate inquiry in Australia to intensify monitoring of Australian white supremacists and neo-Nazis who are utilizing crowdfunding campaigns and establishing “active clubs” to train members in combat.
The Counter Extremism Project (CEP), a prominent anti-terror group, emphasized the need for closer scrutiny of these extremist activities to prevent the escalation of violence and radicalization within the country.
Rise of Decentralised Online Neo-Nazi Sphere
According to the CEP, some Australian extremists have emerged as prominent figures in the decentralised online neo-Nazi sphere.
These individuals have been actively involved in creating crowdfunding campaigns and establishing combat-focused clubs under the guise of promoting political activism and self-defence.
However, the CEP has raised concerns that these activities may serve as an evasion tactic to evade police attention and facilitate the formation of shadow militias.
Evasion Tactics and Shadow Militias
The CEP’s submission to the parliamentary inquiry highlighted the deceptive nature of these “active clubs,” which claim to promote peaceful activism and combat sports training for white nationalists.
However, evidence suggests that these clubs may have ulterior motives, including the establishment of shadow militias capable of coordinated violent action on a larger scale.
The potential for these groups to incite violence and pose a significant threat to public safety underscores the urgent need for proactive monitoring and intervention.
Inquiry Into Rightwing Extremism
The Senate’s legal and constitutional affairs references committee initiated an inquiry into rightwing extremist movements in Australia to assess the threat posed by these movements, their motivations, capacity for violence, and links with international extremist networks.
The inquiry aims to address the growing concern surrounding the rise of rightwing extremism and its potential implications for national security and social cohesion.
Concerns and Criticisms
While the inquiry seeks to address pressing issues related to rightwing extremism, criticisms have been raised regarding its terms of reference.
The Australian Christian Lobby’s chief executive, Michelle Pearse, expressed concerns that the inquiry’s focus may inadvertently target individuals with conservative political opinions, potentially stifling legitimate political discourse and freedom of expression.
As the inquiry progresses, stakeholders must navigate the delicate balance between addressing the threat of rightwing extremism and safeguarding fundamental rights and democratic principles.
