An independent UN human rights expert warned on Wednesday that many global programs aimed at countering violent extremism have negative impacts on human rights and may even ‘foster radicalization’ rather than preventing it.
“Prevention is an important and necessary tool but it will only be effective when it is practiced in a way that protects and affirms rights”, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, UN Special Rapporteur on the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, said when presenting her latest report to the Human Rights Council.
While recognizing the global challenges presented by terrorism and the costs borne by individuals and communities, Ní Aoláin said that current approaches to prevent it, lack a consistent rule of law or human rights grounding.
She stressed that religious groups, minorities and civil society actors are particularly victims of rights violations and are targeted under the guise of countering “extremism”.
“Large-scale violations of the rights of religious and ethnic minorities are being enabled by ‘deradicalization’ policies and practice,” said Ms. Ní Aoláin.
The human rights expert also underscored the lack of a robust scientific basis for the current practices countering violent extremism and the complete absence of human rights-based monitoring and evaluation, including by UN entities.
“The United Nations counter-terrorism architecture must do better in protecting human rights and the rule of law when they support and engage with national programs,” she said.
In addition, Ní Aoláin voiced serious concerns over the absence of precise legal definitions of extremism and violent extremism in national legislations and the widespread abuses of human rights that it entails.
She further condemned the commodification of women and girls in some States counterterrorism policies.
Source: Al-Manar Website Correspondent in UN Office Geneva Ahmad Hajj Ali
