Co-operation needed to prevent terrorists from exploiting the Internet, finds OSCE meeting

VIENNA, 15 November 2007 - Co-operation is crucial to efforts to prevent terrorist exploitation of the Internet, heard participants at an OSCE expert workshop that started today.

More than 100 experts from around 40 countries attending the meeting are exchanging new ideas, innovative approaches and best practices on how to combat incitement to terrorism on the Internet.

"As the Internet is not linked to a physical place, people intent on abusing cyberspace for terrorist purposes can do so from virtually anywhere in the world, with a laptop and an Internet connection. In order to make a sustained impact in this counter-terrorism field, we absolutely have to co-operate very closely and in a co-ordinated manner," said Ambassador Carlos Sanchez de Boado of Spain, which holds the 2007 OSCE Chairmanship.

The meeting agenda includes topics such as online radicalization; the definition of target audiences and approaches for influencing them; presentation of positive counter-messages; measures to curb terrorist misuse of the Internet while preserving the right to privacy; streamlining measures adopted at the national level; and the role of civil society in combating incitement to terrorism on the Internet.

"Contemporary terrorism has become a virtual movement and the Internet is the cement holding it together", said Raphael Perl, Head of the OSCE Action against Terrorism Unit, which is organizing the event.

Experts at the meeting emphasized that a concerted effort within the OSCE region and beyond is needed as the Internet has a global reach.

The OSCE has been active in the area of combating terrorist use of the Internet since 2005. This latest meeting, funded by the authorities of Germany and Spain, provides a platform for practitioners to network and exchange views.