International co-operation in fight against terrorism theme of OSCE conference in Kyiv

KYIV, 10 October 2013 – A two-day conference on priorities for international co-operation in the fight against terrorism started today in Kyiv. The event is organized by the Ukrainian OSCE Chairmanship, with the support of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department.

The conference brings together law enforcement, judiciary and security policy experts from some 30 countries to discuss challenges, latest concerns and initiatives in the fields of countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism; encouraging public-private partnerships in countering terrorism; as well as promoting law enforcement co-operation and the protection of human rights and the rule of law in the context of counter-terrorism.

“The recent attack in Nairobi, Kenya, which also affected the citizens of the OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, is a grim reminder of the human suffering inflicted by terrorists,” said Ambassador Ihor Propochuk, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the OSCE, in his welcoming remarks. “As the threat of terrorism persists, so must our collective determination to counter it. As the threat of terrorism evolves, so must the response of the international community. But in their response to terrorism, States must always uphold and protect what terrorists aim to deny and undermine: human rights and the rule of law.”

Petro Shatovskyi, First Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, stressed the need to implement measures to eliminate the conditions conducive to terrorism and said: “A priority task for Ukraine, in this regard, is the definition of conceptual framework for the fight against terrorism.” He spoke about the implementation of the National Concept on the Fight against Terrorism, and the participation of Ukraine in international conventions and mechanisms. “Given the threats to security that still exist we continue to pay close attention to the strengthening of international co-operation with partner special services and law-enforcement structures.”

Participants in the conference will also discuss the implementation of the OSCE Consolidated Framework for the Fight against Terrorism, which was adopted by OSCE participating States in December 2012. The Framework is the new blue print for the OSCE’s comprehensive contribution to the global efforts against terrorism.