OSCE-supported meeting in Central Asia focuses on countering incitement to terrorism

TASHKENT, 9 December 2010 - Counter-terrorism experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are discussing how to best counter incitement to terrorism and violent extremism at an OSCE-supported regional seminar that began in Tashkent today.

The two-day event organized jointly by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, the OSCE Secretariat's Action against Terrorism Unit and Uzbekistan's Government, focuses on the perception of the threat in countries that are facing the same problem but have different social, ethnic and religious constituencies.

Representatives from international and regional organizations as well as national experts will seek to find a common understanding that would help Central Asian countries develop policies to reduce the threat of violent extremism and terrorist incitement.

Also on the agenda are discussions about the implementation of U.N. Security Council resolution 1624, which calls on states to prohibit by law incitement to commit acts of terrorism and to enhance dialogue and broaden understanding among civilizations, and other international documents forming the international legal framework of countering incitement to terrorism.

Participants will hear expert presentations on violent extremism in Europe, Central-Asia and Afghanistan, discuss case studies and exchange experiences.

The seminar aims to develop ideas about how international and regional organizations can support Central Asian countries in countering incitement to terrorism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. Participants also will compare their strategies and measures with existing international standards and with international best practices.

"This seminar should result in concrete recommendations for operational response models that countries in the region can use to counter incitement and violent extremism leading to terrorism," said Raphael Perl, OSCE Head on Anti-Terrorism Issues.

Weixiong Chen, Deputy Executive Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, said the United Nations remained determined to further strengthen the effectiveness of national and international efforts to fight terrorism, including in the Central Asian region.

Ambassador Istvan Venczel, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, added:

"OSCE field operations prioritize good co-operation with their host countries in every dimension. Workshops such as this one offer an opportunity to explore how the OSCE can support national authorities."