Europe Remembers Paris Victims

Today marks a poignant anniversary in European history, commemorating a decade since the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris. On November 13, 2015, extremists targeted the Stade de France, Parisian cafes, and the Bataclan concert hall, resulting in 132 fatalities and numerous injuries.

Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, honored the victims and reiterated their ongoing commitment to anti-terrorism efforts. The agency highlighted the collaborative work of international law enforcement following the attacks and the substantial advancements in counterterrorism measures that have since been implemented.

The tragic events of 2015 initiated a series of terrorist incidents across Europe, from Brussels to Berlin. Each attack has reinforced the necessity of a unified approach to counterterrorism—one that involves not just preventing attacks but also fostering community resilience and addressing radicalization at its roots.

In response to this wave of terrorism, Europol established the European Counter Terrorism Centre in January 2016 to enhance coordination and support member states in operational activities and risk assessments. The EU Internal Referral Unit was also set up within Europol to combat online terrorist propaganda effectively.

As Europol commemorates this somber anniversary, it also reasserts a collective resolve to protect European societies and uphold the values threatened by terrorism and violent extremism. The message from Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, was clear: “We have not forgotten. We remain committed to fighting terrorism, now more than ever.”