In these trying times for France, we – especially those of us who are elected representatives – must step up the effort to find constructive solutions for our security and stability. But in our choice of words and in our actions we must apply wisdom and responsibility.

That means under no circumstances playing the blame game. Loud and clear, we should be reminding our fellow citizens that the root of the problem is neither immigration nor Islam.

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Those who appear to have committed barbaric acts grew up in our midst. They were drugged with an ideology that takes Islam as an excuse to “justify” evil. Bombing Isis in Syria is necessary but at the same time we need to address an issue, a sickness dare I say, that has spread within our own European countries.

Over the last few months I have made many recommendations, as a rapporteur for the European Parliament on the prevention of radicalisation. Some of these should be implemented immediately to strengthen security. And the EU is the right level at which to act, since the threat we face is as common to the member states as it is mobile. You just have to look at where the so-called “foreign fighters” come from to understand that this is a Europe-wide issue: 1,200 from France, 600 from Germany, 440 from Belgium, 250 from the Netherlands.

An EU system of recording passenger names (requiring more systematic collection and use of data on passengers entering or leaving the EU) must be established as soon as possible to trace the movements of radicalised individuals. Reinforced controls along the Schengen area’s external borders must also be organised.

And because radicalisation occurs in most instances on the internet and in prisons – and not predominantly in mosques – we need to be preventing evil narratives and recruitment videos proliferating online and through social media. Internet companies should cooperate more thoroughly to remove illicit content and to decrypt terrorist communications. They must act more quickly than they are already doing. If they don’t, they must be held liable for failing to prevent terrorist propaganda from spreading.

Inside prisons, radicalised inmates should be kept apart, as is done in Fresnes prison in France. Its governor recently launched a highly effective pilot scheme involving managing Islamists in a separate unit. Governments across the EU need to draw inspiration from it. And prison staff should receive training in detecting radical behaviour.

Much greater cooperation is urgently needed on surveillance. European states need to increase information exchange and develop greater surveillance of citizens who fall under suspicion in their country of origin. They need to share good practices on dealing with so-called “foreign fighters” returning to their home country. Do we need to confiscate passports, even withdraw nationality, when there is a national security threat? All of these questions need to be addressed.

Finally, another way to fight against terrorism is to target finances and freeze assets. Let’s ask for more transparency on financial transfers from third countries to EU member states.

Members of the European Parliament, across the political spectrum, should act immediately on these pending EU proposals. Too many lives have been lost already so, as elected representatives, we must face up to our responsibilities.

As a nation we in France have, since last Friday, felt powerless, grief-stricken and angry. I can only begin to imagine the pain of those who lost a loved one. Why did this happen to us again? Why were so many precious lives so tragically lost? Why did young people resort to such barbaric acts?

But beyond immediate reaction in response to the security threat, France – and indeed other European countries – must face its demons.

Our policy of integration, which was once so strong, is failing today. We are seeing a frightening pattern develop: young people who were born in Europe killing in the name of a religion they know little about.

The answer is certainly not to further stigmatise Islam or immigration. This is exactly what Isis wants. They want Muslims to be excluded; they want our nation to be divided. They simply cannot win.

We must build a more inclusive society, which respects diversity while upholding values that bind us together. At school, in universities, through bringing excluded young people back into education, training or work, we can equip them to be responsible citizens and a force for good in the community.

The French president, François Hollande, has always said that youth policies are high on his agenda. But it cannot be mere wishful thinking. Our country needs us to deliver. Despite being in opposition today, I work and want to continue working with the government. My country and the security of my fellow citizens are far more important than any election or party politics.