The Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM) and its three members are declared terrorists by the Department of State USA
After World War II, “Neo-Nazism” emerged as a movement seeking to revive and promote the ideology of Nazism. Numerous organizations worldwide widely favor this ideology, and many European political parties adhere to its principles. ‘The Nordic Resistance Movement’ in Sweden is one of them. The movement exercises Para-military practices and engages in Martial arts Training. The party quickly gained ground in Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Finland before being outlawed in 2019.
Formation of The Nordic Resistance Movement
In 2016, a movement was established with branches in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway. Its primary objective is to halt mass immigration into Scandinavian countries and promote the return of individuals not from Northern Europe to their home countries. Additionally, the movement advocates for Nordic self-sufficiency and proposes disengagement from the European Union.
The Ban
The political party was banned in 2019 because of its extremist behavior, such as promoting and demonstrating its ideology through public protests. This led to worries about the spread of their ideology beyond Sweden, ultimately resulting in the party’s outlaw.
The instance of stabbing a man in Helsinki led to the banning of the party in Finland in 2020. There are various examples of violence by the organization in Stockholm (Group attack on a migrant camp), daylight stabbing of a kid in a center in Finland, and so on crimes are evidence of the terrorist practices by the movement.
Designation as Terrorist Organization By USA
On the 14th Of June, the Department of State, USA issued a fact sheet regarding its concern about the REMVE (Racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist) threat globally and its commitment towards countering components of violent white supremacy.
The organization recognizes NRM as an openly racist, anti-immigrant, antisemitic, anti-LGBTQI+ extremist organization, and implements its values through violent activities in Northern Europe. These attacks were carried out against Journalists, Political opponents, protestors, and other rivals. Terrorist activities were recognized by collecting and preparing explosive materials and weapons to further the group’s aims.
The report said furthermore, That Formerly known as the Swedish Resistance Movement renewed itself as the Nordic Resistance Movement by Simon Lindberg renovating the goal of uniting various Nordic democracies with a united Ethnic Nation.
Three Leaders Of the organization are designated as Terrorists Fredrik Vejdeland the longest-serving member of NRM and leader, Par Oberg- head of the parliamentary branch and Leif Robert Eklund- member of the national council.
By this designation, The USA officially prohibits engagement in any transactions with the NRM to protect the US’s financial exploitation of any kind. It will also assist the US agencies’ law enforcement activities or other relevant entities and governments.
Further, NRM is designated to contribute to acts of terrorism by either committing it directly, attempting or participating in the training of the same that threatens the security of the US, its foreign policy, and the country’s economy by the given fact sheet.
The practitioners of REMVE are now influencing the masses through social media platforms, gaming platforms, and smaller websites to contribute to the radicalization and mobilization of violence according to Moss- Deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Counterterrorism.
This is the first time that the Biden administration has designated a white supremacist group as a terrorist organization after the Russian Imperial Movement 2020 after years of only focusing on Islamist terrorist groups.
