OSCE supports discussion in Astana on countering terrorism
ASTANA, 20 March 2015 – Current trends in international terrorism and the prevention of youth involvement into the violent extremism and radicalization were among the topics of an OSCE-supported international roundtable discussion, which took place today in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The event was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the Anti-terrorist Centre of the National Security Committee and the Legal Council under the Nur Otan Party.
Some 60 parliamentarians, high-level officials from the Security Council, National Security Committee, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Supreme Court, Ministries of the Interior, Education and Science as well as Religion Affairs, Communication and Information Committees, national and international experts, leaders of national youth organizations as well as civil society representatives reviewed the factors underlying violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism and the ways to effectively address this threat.
Experts from the Netherlands and Italy presented research on the motives and methods of foreign terrorist fighters with a particular focus on their role with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, use of the Internet for terrorist purposes, after-action analysis and lessons learnt by law enforcement agencies after the recent terrorist attacks, and countering the propaganda of violent extremist groups amongst young people with due respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“Terrorism cannot be tackled effectively by any country or institution alone,” said Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana Ambassador Natalia Zarudna. “It is important to strengthen multilateral co-operation between civil society, the legal community, media, law enforcement and educational institutions not only to reduce the threat of terrorism but help protect people, particularly the young, from the influence of violent extremist ideology and its consequences.”
The Member of the Parliament and Chairperson of the Legal Council under the Nur Otan Party, Nurlan Abdirov said: “Countering terrorism begins with prevention and identifying the root causes of the problem. The focus of our efforts in this regard is to protect and save the youth of our society. This falls in line with the strategic goals outlined by President Nazarbayev in strategic documents on Kazakhstan’s development.”
As a result of the discussion, participants developed a set of recommendations for the parliament, government and regional administrations on enhancing their interaction and co-operation with civil society in countering and preventing terrorism.
The event is part of the OSCE Programme Office’s multiyear efforts to assist the host country in countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism with due regard to the respect for human rights and fundamental freedom.