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2014 OSCE-wide Counter-Terrorism Conference "The role of OSCE in addressing current terrorism challenges"

Description

The conference intends to make use of the comprehensive OSCE approach to security allowing a cross-dimensional discussion on current counter-terrorism issues, including kidnappings for ransom, human rights and counter-terrorism, and "foreign fighters".

Summary

The Swiss OSCE Chairmanship with the support of the Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), in close co-operation with the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and other OSCE executive structures will organize an OSCE-wide Counter-Terrorism Conference to address new challenges of particular concern to the international community, and possibly conclude with reasoned deliverables for the OSCE Ministerial Conference in Basel.

The themes to be discussed are:

  • Terrorism Financing – addressing kidnapping for ransom;
  • Ensuring legality, transparency and accountability in counter-terrorism and;
  • Responding to the phenomenon of individuals leaving their home country to take part in violent hostilities within or outside the OSCE area (“foreign fighters”).

In particular, the Swiss Chairmanship proposes to put a strong emphasis on a cross-dimensional consideration of these challenges and contributions from civil society organizations.

The OSCE promotes a comprehensive approach to security, linking the politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimensions in preventing and combating terrorism. In particular, participating States have pledged to fully respect international law, including international human rights law, humanitarian law and refugee law, when preventing and countering terrorism. They have reaffirmed on a number of occasions that the struggle against terrorism is not directed against any particular religion, nation or people. They have also recognised the crucial role that can be played by civil society, businesses and the media in anti-terrorism efforts, and have pledged solidarity with victims of terrorism. In the 2012 Consolidated Framework for the Fight against Terrorism, the OSCE participating States have identified the protection and promotion of human rights as one of the strategic focus areas for OSCE counter-terrorism activities.

The expected participants of this conference are counter terrorism national coordinators, senior experts or equivalent national authorities nominated by OSCE participating States and OSCE partners for Co-operation.

Simultaneous interpretation in English and Russian will be provided during the conference.

Participation of experts from international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and the civil society is upon invitation only.