On February 12, 2016, the United Nations General Assembly approved the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism. Since then, the world has continued to mark the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism It was adopted to raise awareness about the threats linked to violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism and to enhance international cooperation among member states. Recently, the world marked the day with little or no activity in some countries, including Nigeria. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.
In pursuit of its Resolution 77/243, the United Nations General Assembly highlighted the primary responsibility of member states and their national institutions in countering terrorism. It also underlined the important role of inter-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, academia, religious and community leaders and the media in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism.
It also reaffirmed that terrorism and violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group.
A UN Plan of Action was initiated as a comprehensive approach encompassing not only essential security-based counter-terrorism measures but also systematic preventive steps to address the underlying conditions that drive individuals to radicalise and join violent extremist groups.
This concerted action by the international community also provides more than 70 recommendations to member states and the United Nations system to prevent the further spread of violent extremism.
The concern of United Nations
According to a UN report, violent extremism is an affront to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. It undermines peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. No country or region is immune from its impacts. Violent extremism is a diverse phenomenon, without a clear definition.
“It is neither new nor exclusive to any region, nationality or system of belief. Nevertheless, in recent years, terrorist groups such as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaida and Boko Haram have shaped our image of violent extremism and the debate on how to address this threat.
“These groups’ message of intolerance—religious, cultural, social—has had drastic consequences for many regions of the world. Holding territory and using social media for real-time communication of their atrocious crimes, they seek to challenge our shared values of peace, justice and human dignity.
“The spread of violent extremism has further aggravated an already unprecedented humanitarian crisis which surpasses the boundaries of any one region. Millions of people have fled the territory controlled by terrorist and violent extremist groups.
“Migratory flows have increased both away, from, and towards the conflict zones-involving those seeking safety and those lured into the conflict as foreign terrorist fighters, further destabilising the regions concerned.
“Nothing can justify violent extremism but we must also acknowledge that it does not arise in a vacuum. Narratives of grievance, actual or perceived injustice, promised empowerment and sweeping change become attractive where human rights are being violated, good governance is being ignored and aspirations are being crushed,” the report added.
Unimpressive first anniversary
How far did member-states perform at the maiden edition of the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism was marked recently?
Nigeria, similar to many countries, did not mark the day, thus showing a lack of political will and seeming apathy to the implementation of the Plan of Action, especially in creating awareness.
Apart from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Nigeria Office’s participation in a radio programme that discussed the importance of the Day, the Federal Government and its ministries, departments and agencies; particularly the Office of National Security Adviser (NSA) did nothing in this regard.
In fact, this day went unnoticed. Yet, terrorist groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaida and Boko Haram have wreaked havoc in most Northern parts of Nigeria.
In a recent survey by Statista, between 2011 and 2022, Boko Haram was responsible for thousands of deaths in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Nigeria is most affected by terrorist groups’ attacks. States in the Northeast register the highest number of deaths. Borno is, by far, the most threatened state, in that Boko Haram has caused about 35,646 deaths in the state.
Seven of the Northern states-Borno, Plateau (3,359), Zamfara (5,747), Kaduna (5,462), Adamawa (4,097), Benue (3,774), and Yobe (3,176) were the most affected recording no fewer than 61, 261 deaths between 2011 and 2022.
Within its mandate on crime prevention, UNODC supports member states to prevent violent extremism that is conducive to terrorism.
The Project Coordinator, Counter-Terrorism Programming, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr Tom Parker, in an online interview, said worldwide deaths from terrorism have declined over the past five years, but attacks in Sub-Saharan Africa region have more than doubled since 2016.
He noted that unfortunately, Sub-Saharan Africa has become the global epicentre of violent extremist activity.
“Indeed, in 2021, almost half of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa,” he added.
He described terrorism as a complex phenomenon, in which each individual has a range of reasons and influences that bear upon his or her decision to join an extremist group.
According to Parker, some of these drivers are personal in nature and are rooted in individual growth and experience–these include what psychologists term the quest for significance or status, but also negative experiences at the hands of the state or, perhaps, other segments of society.
“Other drivers can be situational–such as the social networks an individual is a part of, both in the community or online, or perhaps a day-to-day reality of systemic social exclusion driven by structural barriers such as institutional racism, poverty, or religious or class-based prejudice, which deprive the individual of the opportunity to build a better life.
“However, a sense of justified grievance is a unifying theme of terrorist groups. Sometimes these grievances are misplaced, but often they may have a kernel of truth. The wise state tries to understand the grievances presented and, if there is some legitimacy to them, will seek to find ways to try to acknowledge and address them.
“Violence often erupts when enough people can no longer see any way out of the desperate situation they find themselves in. Despite the popular perception, terrorist violence is rarely actually senseless,” he added.
On how helpful traditional counter-terrorism mechanisms in the new awareness can drive counter-terrorism, Parker said: “There will always be a role for physical security measures and traditional law enforcement activity in countering terrorism. Experience has taught us that this alone is not enough, terrorist and violent extremist threats require a more holistic, all of government response.
“It is also important to understand that the use of force is often a major driver of terrorist recruitment and that if it does become necessary to use force, it is used lawfully, reasonably and proportionately. As the founder of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan Baitullah Mehsud famously remarked, ‘every drone strike brings me three or four new suicide bombers.’”
Reacting to claims by some member states that certain states engage in acts of aggression against sovereign peoples and commit flagrant violations of human rights and international humanitarian law under the flag of the supposed fight against terrorism, he noted that there are examples of counter-terrorism legislation being used to stifle political opposition.
“It is undoubtedly true that around the world we have seen examples of counter-terrorism legislation being used to stifle political opposition or to imperil certain human rights protections, including the legitimate acts of self-expression or protest.
“The UN Special Rapporteurs have repeatedly warned states against this. Such actions on the part of the government typically only serve to exacerbate tensions and contribute to further insecurity. We know from extensive academic research–and from more than 150 years of practical experience-that human rights abuse and the experience of violence at the hands of the state are one of the main drivers, if not the main driver, of terrorism,” Parker said.
Preventing violent extremism conducive to terrorism through sports
According to the UN report, violent extremism that leads to terrorism seriously threatens international peace and security.
“The progression to violent extremism is often a journey marked by marginalisation, lack of opportunities, and grievances with the state. Terrorist groups exploit and recruit the socio-economically vulnerable. We work with member states to support them with responses to prevent crime, including violent extremists leading to terrorism,” it said.
It also believes that sports can change the world, as famous footballers and grassroots game changers alike said at a roundtable discussion, highlighting a new UN podcast series to mark the first International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism.
“Sports have the power to convey essential values of respect, inclusion, and solidarity,” said Mauro Miedico, the Deputy Director and Chief of the Special Projects and Innovation branch at the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).
“When applied in tandem with wider preventing violent extremism (PVE) strategies, it can work against the drivers of radicalisation which lead to violent extremism.”
Speakers at the roundtable demonstrated the power of sports in overcoming the devastating impact of war, displacement and strife facing millions at a time when terrorist groups such as ISIL (or Dae’sh), Al-Qaida and Boko Haram are still spreading messages of religious, cultural and social intolerance.
Isabella Echeverri, a Colombian football player and Ambassador for the Save the Dream Movement, said athletes are role models on and off the pitch.
“In sports, it is important to respect your opponents, to be loyal to your team, to show integrity by managing a tough loss, and courage and humility when you win a game.
“When we leave the pitch, we can use our platforms to inspire and help young people, for instance, to show respect, love their bodies, be kind to other people, be aware of mental health issues, eat better, and exercise.”
The Iraqi example
At the UN in Iraq, prevention and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism is a priority and an integrated approach is required to ensure sustainable community solutions.
According to reports, ensuring factors that contribute to economic marginalisation and inequality are addressed, and the provision of mental health support and livelihood opportunities is crucial to mitigating the risks of violent extremism.
“Violent extremism in Iraq has led to widespread devastation and mass displacement, with marginalised groups such as women, children, young people and people with disabilities disproportionately affected. As part of efforts to build peace and mitigate factors that compel people to leave their area or country of origin, the UN in Iraq supports a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to address underlying factors, drivers, and motives that could contribute to increasing the risk of violent extremism, including through support to national and sub-national government actors and civil society organisations to devise and implement plans of action and interventions to identify and address these risk factors.
The UN in Iraq, in partnership with the government of Iraq, is committed to supporting women and children, religious leaders, youths, educators, local authorities, civil society, and all members of Iraqi communities to prevent violent extremism and promote peaceful co-existence.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Iraq, Ghulam Isaczai said: “This international day represents an opportunity for us to acknowledge the dangers of violent extremism and raise awareness on activities and interventions to prevent it. We all have a part to play in preventing violent extremism, and the United Nations in Iraq is working with the government of Iraq to involve a cross-section of society in advocacy and preventative measures.
“Together, we must keep working to address the marginalisation, lack of livelihood opportunities, and spread of discourse that is conducive to violent extremism in Iraq.
“The idea for this day was presented by the Iraqi representative to the United Nations. Thus, it is very important to us.’’
The National Committee for the Prevention of Violent Extremism believes that this day will open horizons for international cooperation, agreements and memorandums of understanding, and coordination on capacity building. We hope to continue to work closely with the international community on this important topic,” said Ali Abdullah Al-Badiri, chairman, National Committee on the Implementation of the Strategy to Combat Violent Extremism in Iraq.
