Publications

The new OSCE Guidebook on “The Role of Civil Society in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism: A focus on South-Eastern Europe” is the first in a series of resources produced by the Transnational Threat Department/ Action against Terrorism Unit. This volume provides practical guidance and helpful background for both policy makers and practitioners who are working to advance civil-society-led P/CVERLT initiatives in the South-Eastern European region. A second iteration will be published for the countries of Central Asia in early 2019.

While the definition and scope of the term “foreign terrorist fighter” (FTF) is controversial, in recent years it has been commonly used to refer to individuals who have travelled from their home states to other states to participate in or support terrorist acts, including in the context of armed conflict, especially in Iraq and Syria. This document seeks to provide states with recommendations, and supporting analysis, on some of the key human rights issues that they must grapple with as they seek to respond to the threats posed by FTFs in a manner that is consistent with human rights and the rule of law. Following a brief overview of background facts, international and national responses, this document offers a series of recommendations for a human rights-compliant approach to addressing the flow and return of FTFs.

This five point guide for journalists provides a quick and handy overview of the most important things to have in mind when reporting on radicalization and violent extremism, by advising journalists on the principles of conflict-sensitive, ethical and fact-based reporting. The guide also advises journalists on the importance of knowing the terminology related to radicalization and violent extremism, including all voices, and avoiding inflammatory content and generalizations when reporting on this topic.

Overview prepared by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department/Action against Terrorism Unit in co-ordination with other relevant OSCE executive structures (Updated: March 2018).

This Consolidated Reference aims to inform all personnel of the OSCE, as well as offices, institutions, field missions/presences, and relevant interested organizations, about international and OSCE commitments, projects and programmes related to the prevention and combating of terrorism. The Reference can also be used as an aid in conceptualizing, planning and implementing activities within the general scope of OSCE anti-terrorism goals.(Updated: March 2018)

The Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department supports the OSCE’s 57 participating States and 11 Partners for Co-operation in the implementation of their anti-terrorism commitments. Anti-terrorist activities play a prominent role in the OSCE’s overall efforts to address transnational threats. Guided by the ‘Consolidated Framework for the Fight against Terrorism’, the Unit acts as the OSCE focal point, information resource, and implementation partner, providing OSCE participating States and Partners for Cooperation with a wide range of programmes and activities.

This factsheet outlines how the OSCE Transnational Threats Department contributes to tackling the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters by building on its existing programmes and in line with the OSCE Consolidated Framework for the Fight against Terrorism.

The OSCE has developed an overall awareness-raising and capacity-building programme on Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism, which promotes a multi-dimensional approach and encourages multi-stakeholder collaboration.

OSCE United in Countering Violent Extremism campaign was launched by the OSCE Secretary General and the OSCE Serbian Chairmanship to underscore that we at the OSCE stand together as one in countering violent extremism that leads to terrorism.

This report is an output of the conference “Working With Youth and For Youth: Protection Against Radicalization”, organized by the Serbia's OSCE Chairmanship together with its Special Representatives on Youth and Security, from 03-04 September in Belgrade, Serbia. The conference aimed to provide a platform for discussion among young people, academia, participating States and civil society looking for a better understanding of the violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism, as well as to offer recommendations in approaching this phenomenon.