OSCE co-hosts international roundtable discussion on countering terrorism in Kazakhstan
ASTANA, 31 January 2017 – Factors leading to violent extremism, radicalization and terrorism and ways to effectively address the threat in different countries were the focus of a two-day international roundtable discussion organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the Centre for Military Strategic Research under the Ministry of Defence and the Prosecutor General’s Office, which began today in Astana.
The discussion brought together some 90 participants including high-level officials from the Senate of Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Interior and Religious Affairs and Civil Society, the Anti-Terrorist Centre of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Also taking part were national experts, leaders of political parties and representatives of civil society and bilateral embassies.
“We need to counter the exposure to terrorist propaganda,” said Deputy Prosecutor General Andrey Kravchenko, who highlighted the importance of keeping children safe from violent radicalization.
Ambassador György Szabó, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, discussed the importance of co-operation in combating violent extremism. “A way to address the issue is to take action and share international experience, including best practices.”
Karlygash Nugmanova, Department Director at the Centre for Military Strategic Research said: “It merits noting that at the present time, international security requires examining the changing geostrategic and geopolitical order in the world. As such, this requires international co-operation and sharing of ideas.”
Experts from Austria, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom presented research on methods of violent extremist groups, the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes, rehabilitation and reintegration of violent extremists, recruitment techniques and countering the propaganda of violent extremist groups among young people.
On the second day participants will develop a set of recommendations for Kazakhstan’s parliament and national experts 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 multi-year efforts to assist the host country in countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.