Plan for national vigilance

VIGILNAT, the government plan for national vigilance in the face of the threat of acts of terrorism, defines the national package of measures for vigilance, prevention and protection against the threat of a terrorist act or in reaction to a terrorist attack on Luxembourgish soil and the actions the Luxembourg government should consequently take. It was designed as a tool to identify the terrorist threat.

In response to the multitude of possible threats with their myriad of possible impacts and repercussions, this plan provides those responsible for executing it with the tools they need to react with the required flexibility to deal with the events that occur. This is therefore an instrument that contributes greatly to national security.

The plan was adopted by the Council of Government on 27 March 2015.

The VIGILNAT plan forms the heart of the national framework designed to protect against the threat of terrorism. Its aims are:

• to provide the country and its citizens with adapted protection against the terrorist threat;
• to prevent or detect as early as possible any threat of terrorist acts;
• to guarantee a rapid and coordinated reaction in the event that a terrorist threat is imminent or has been committed.

Vigilance entails gaining an understanding of the terrorist threat and taking due account of it in order to adjust the population's behaviour and the protective measures applied.

The Anti-terrorism Coordination Group (Groupe de coordination en matière de lutte contre le terrorisme, GCT) evaluates the terrorist threat following a schedule that is adapted to the evolution of the national and international situation. After this evaluation has been undertaken, a proposed alert level is submitted to the government which then determines the alert level to be applied to the territory.

Each evaluation of the terrorist threat made by the Anti-terrorism Coordination Group (Groupe de coordination en matière de lutte contre le terrorisme, GCT) uses a description of the gravity of the threat and the likelihood of it materialising to determine what the threat is.

On the basis of this evaluation a threat level is then decreed, which can range from LOW to VERY SERIOUS.

Once the threat has been evaluated, a threat level is decreed.

The threat level is "LOW" when the terrorist threat that is subject to analysis is judged to be possible, but improbable.

Once the threat has been evaluated, a threat level is decreed.

The "MEDIUM" threat levels applies when the terrorist threat that is subject to analysis is judged to be real, but abstract.

Once the threat has been evaluated, a threat level is decreed.

The "SERIOUS" threat level is announced when the terrorist threat that is subject to analysis is judged to be probable and concrete.

Once the threat has been evaluated, a threat level is decreed.

The "VERY SERIOUS" threat level is announced when the terrorist threat that is subject to analysis is judged to be concrete and imminent, or if a terrorist attack has been committed.

No. Terrorism is a global threat that respects no borders and takes many forms. Like other countries, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is exposed to the threat of terrorism.

Although there is no such thing as zero risk, the Luxembourg authorities take measures to ensure that the country and its citizens have the best adapted protection possible against the terrorist threat, to prevent or reduce as far as possible the threat of an act of terrorism and to guarantee a rapid and coordinated reaction in the event that a terrorist threat is imminent or has been committed.

An alert level expresses the probability that a threat will materialise and the potential gravity of said threat.  After an evaluation of the terrorist threat has been undertaken, a proposed alert level is submitted to the government which then determines the alert level to be applied to the territory. The VIGILNAT plan sets out 4 alert levels.

The plan is comprised of 4 alert levels that correspond to the respective threat levels.

• Alert level 1 (corresponds to the LOW threat level)

It does not bring about specific measures, the measures and procedures in place are permanent ones.

The plan is comprised of four alert levels that correspond to the respective threat levels.

• Alert level 2 (corresponds to the MEDIUM threat level)

It consists of strengthening vigilance against a real threat that is as yet undefined.

It triggers the implementation of temporary measures of vigilance, prevention and protection of variable intensity that do not excessively restrict the country's economic and social life.

The plan is comprised of four alert levels that correspond to the respective threat levels.

• Alert level 3 (corresponds to the SERIOUS threat level)

It translates into a strengthening of measures of vigilance, prevention and protection and is intended to be of limited duration.

It can be activated over the whole territory or a limited geographical area and/or certain sectors of activity.

The plan is comprised of four alert levels that correspond to the respective threat levels.

• Alert level 4 (corresponds to the VERY SERIOUS threat level)

It entails mobilisation of all the response capabilities available and the application of particularly restrictive measures to counter the threat and, in the event of an attack, to intervene rapidly and in a coordinated manner.

It can be activated over the whole territory or a limited geographical area and/or applied to some sectors of activity and is designed to be temporary.

The VIGILNAT plan covers the entire country with the objective of optimising measures of vigilance, prevention and protection by bringing all the stakeholders involved together.

Based on the proposals put forward by the Prime Minister, the government decides whether to implement the provisions and measures provided by the VIGILNAT plan. The Army and the Customs and Excise Agency can be called upon to intervene in the case of alert levels 3 and 4, "SERIOUS" and "VERY SERIOUS" respectively.

Owners and operators of vulnerable areas will implement specific protective measures depending on the respective alert level.

Every citizen is responsible for his/her own safety, and contributes, through his/her responsible behaviour, to preventing and protecting society from terrorist threats.

The Prime Minister activates the Crisis Cell (Cellule de Crise, CC) when the alert level is raised to 4, the VERY SERIOUS threat level.

It entails mobilisation of all the response capabilities available and the application of particularly restrictive measures to counter the threat and, in the event of an attack, to intervene rapidly and in a coordinated manner.

It can be activated over the whole territory or a limited geographical area and/or applied to some sectors of activity and is designed to be temporary.

The Prime Minister activates the Crisis Cell (Cellule de Crise, CC) when the alert level is raised to 4, the VERY SERIOUS threat level.

Convoked by the High Commissioner for National Protection and chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs, the CC initiates, coordinates and monitors the execution of all the measures to deal with the crisis and its effects with the aim of returning the situation to normal.

It prepares the necessary decisions and submits them to the government for approval.

Information on the threat is highly sensitive and therefore not directly available to the wider public. In addition, the dissemination of information should neither help nor direct groups or individuals liable to prepare acts of terrorism, nor hinder the actions the authorities must take.

The public will be informed of changes to the terrorist threat and the level of alert by the government and via the website www.infocrise.lu and by any other appropriate means.

The "VIGILNAT" plan applies

• within the territory of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg,
• at sea for ships sailing under the Luxembourg flag
• and abroad for Luxembourg's diplomatic representations.

Since February 2007, the High Commissioner for National Protection (HCNP) has been the national coordinator for the fight against terrorism.

As the national coordinator, the HCNP follows progress made in the fight against terrorism at international fora, in particular at United Nations, NATO, Benelux and European Union level as well as any other international organisation that deals with crisis management and civil emergency plans.

In addition, the HCNP is responsible for maintaining contact with the organisations in our neighbouring countries that have the same or similar roles as that of the HCNP.

Structurally, Luxembourg has a two-level framework:

• at operational level, meetings between the Grand Ducal Police's Anti-terrorism Section, the Intelligence Service and the Public Prosecutor's Office take place at regular intervals;
• at strategic level, an Anti-terrorism Coordination Group (Groupe de coordination en matière de lutte contre le terrorisme, GCT) has been put in place, chaired by the High Commissioner for National Protection.

It is composed of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Heads of Department from the Intelligence Service, the Grand Ducal Police as well as the Public Prosecutor and the Luxembourg State Prosecutor.

Yes, there is an information transfer in place in particular between crisis centres and police and intelligence services.

The authorities determine which areas are vulnerable depending on the alert level and the nature and subject of the threat. Those responsible for each vulnerable area are required to put in place specific protective measures based on the alert level at that time.

External measures that relate to the surveillance and protection of such vulnerable areas are implemented by the law enforcement agencies. Internal measures are carried out by the owners/operators of the respective vulnerable areas.