High-level int’l conference adopts Dushanbe Declaration to counter, prevent violent extremism

On 3-4 May 2018, a High-Level International Conference on “Countering Terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism” was hosted by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in cooperation with the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union (EU) and with the support of the State of Qatar.

Foreign Ministers and heads of delegations, as well as representatives of regional and international organizations, civil society, scientific institutions and the diplomatic missions accredited to Tajikistan took part in the Conference, which concluded with the following Declaration:
We, the States, represented at this High Level International Conference titled “Countering Terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism”:
- noting with great concern and alarm the proliferation of threats posed by terrorism and extremism worldwide;
- stressing that terrorism can only be defeated through increased international solidarity and cooperation and by a sustained and comprehensive approach involving all States and relevant international and regional organizations;

- recognizing the UN’s central and coordinating role in fostering international cooperation and in supporting Member States that are holding primary responsibility in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in a balanced and integrated manner across its four pillars to prevent and counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and taking note of the 2016 UN Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism;
- reaffirming the principles and norms enshrined in international law, the UN Charter, and in relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions;
- repeating need to abide by relevant international law, including international human rights law in countering terrorism;

- emphasizing the need to address all conditions conducive to terrorism and extremism, both internal and external, in a balanced manner and while recognizing that none of them can excuse or justify terrorist acts;
- taking note of the work of the OSCE in assisting its participating States and Partners for Co-operation in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism through effective and human rights compliant means, as reflected in the relevant OSCE documents, including the OSCE Consolidated Framework for the Fight against Terrorism and pertinent OSCE Ministerial Council Decisions and Declarations;
- recognizing efforts of relevant international and regional organizations, such as SCO, EU, CSTO and CIS in this field;

- emphasizing the importance of the efforts of the Central Asian States in the exchange of information and experience on all aspects of the fight against terrorism and violent extremism at the regional and international levels, as well as their aspiration to develop joint measures and strategies in this field;
- encouraging stronger collective efforts to prevent recruitment and training as well as the planning, facilitation and financing of acts of terrorism.

1. Consider it important to consolidate platforms for discussion and action at the regional and international level for more coordinated efforts by the entire international community in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism;
2. Encourage an ever-greater unity of purpose through coordination, cooperation and the joint action of UN Member States, as well as international and regional organizations in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism;
3. Recognize that terrorist and violent extremist groups exploit deep rooted grievances in situations of prolonged and unresolved conflicts, and therefore these conflicts need sustained efforts towards their resolution;

4. Reaffirm our commitment to implementation, in an integrated and balanced manner, of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy at the national and regional levels, including by forging regional plans of action, while ensuring national responsibility and ownership. We recall in this connection the Joint Action Plan for Central Asia of 30 November 2011 as the first regional framework for a comprehensive, integrated and balanced implementation of the Strategy;
5. Reaffirm also our commitment to implement the relevant Security Council resolutions on countering terrorism and violent extremism, including resolutions 1267(1999), 1373(2001), 1624(2005), 2178(2014), 2242(2015), 2354(2017) and 2396(2017), and the Counter-Terrorism Committee’s recommendations agreed upon by the participating Governments during the Committee’s assessment visits;
6. Consider it essential to prevent and deny terrorists access to any financial, technical and logistical support and channels;
7. Reaffirm our commitment to implement the comprehensive international standards against terrorist financing and money-laundering embodied in the forty Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF);
8. Deem it important to intensify cooperation and coordination in such areas as relevant information-sharing, border security, legal cooperation, and the exchange of best practices, including INTERPOL mechanisms to counter the movement and activities of terrorist groups, including that of foreign terrorist fighters, their affiliates and sponsors as well as to join efforts against any nexus between terrorism and transnational organized crime within the applicable legal frameworks;
9. Support the adoption and implementation of measures aimed at preventing violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism, particularly among youth and in close cooperation with civil society actors, facilitating a whole-of-society approach.
10. Emphasize the need to prioritize preventive action through efforts by the Central Asian States and others in education, by creating opportunities for young generations, establishment of inclusive and participatory form of government and promoting shared values of tolerance, respect and peace, all of which constitute key means to prevent violent extremism;
11. Stress that effective and gender-sensitive implementation of policies is a crucial element in the prevention of violent extremism and radicalization that leads of terrorism. This includes empowering women as agents of change in building community resilience as well as combating discrimination of women in society, as well as broader efforts towards gender equality;
12. Call for responsible approaches by all types of media, upholding the highest professional standards of journalism in relation to reporting on violent extremist and terrorist threats and acts, in line with international human rights law on freedom of expression and the media;
13. Emphasize the importance of developing and implementing comprehensive strategies on countering the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes at the national, regional and international levels while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms;
14. Reaffirm our willingness to further the exchange of information, findings of scientific research and good practices to counter terrorist and violent extremist ideologies;
15. Express our gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for the excellent organization of this High-Level International Conference and the warm hospitality accorded and extend our appreciation to the State of Qatar for its generous support to this Event.
16. Ask the Republic of Tajikistan to submit the Declaration as the UN General Assembly document and distribute it to all UN Member States.