缅北禁地

Engagement of CSOs in the management of VEPs and prevention of radicalization to violence in prisons virtual side event for second United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week

25 June 12.30 pm – 2.00 pm EST 

As the number of violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) continues to increase in Member States across the globe, both the management of VEPs and the prevention of radicalization to violence in prisons are issues of increasing concern to the entire international community. Security Council resolution 2396 (2017) reflects Member States’ growing concern with the potential for prisons to serve as incubators for radicalization to violence.  However, it is also recognized that prisons can serve to rehabilitate and reintegrate prisoners. The implementation of measures that are tailored, proportionate, justified, non-discriminatory, and gender and age sensitive can ensure that the feelings of frustration and unfairness that may render prisons a breeding ground for violent extremism can be mitigated and addressed. 

As States grapple with the demands involved in providing such individualized approaches while also upholding the principles of human rights and rule of law and ensuring effective security measures, the need for a whole-of-society and whole-of-Government approach to counter-terrorism — one that adopts a multidisciplinary strategy, including empowering youth, families, women, religious, cultural and education leaders, and all other concerned groups of civil society organizations (CSOs) to support government efforts — has become increasingly acknowledged.  In its resolution 1624 (2005),  the Security Council stressed the importance of the role of civil and religious society, among other actors, in fostering an environment which is not conducive to incitement to terrorism. In its resolution 2178 (2014),  the Council encouraged States to engage relevant non-governmental actors in developing strategies to counter violent extremist narratives that can incite terrorist acts and to address the conditions conducive to the spread of violent extremism. 

One area in which CSOs may ultimately be most impactful is in supporting the management of VEPs and preventing radicalization to violence within prisons. This has been recognized in a number of instruments, including Security Council resolution 2396 (2017), which underscores the role that CSOs may play in rehabilitation and reintegration and calls on Member States to work with local communities, mental health and education practitioners, and other relevant CSOs to address the challenges posed by returnees. CSOs may be well placed to provide specialized support to women in prison, as well as to provide support to minority groups and indigenous peoples, including in the form of gender-sensitive assistance, in order to facilitate their transition from prison to liberty.  They may also be well-placed to address the age-specific needs of juveniles, who may be particularly vulnerable to radicalization to violent extremism. Member States are encouraged to establish mechanisms for cooperation among prison staff, community-based service providers, civil society, and families, as appropriate. 

Although Governments continue to bear the primary responsibility for countering terrorism and violent extremism, CSOs have the potential to be vital partners in those efforts. Yet, despite growing evidence of the utility of increased CSO engagement in countering violent extremism (CVE), CSOs are regularly excluded from involvement in a range of areas relating to VEPs and populations vulnerable to radicalization to violence in prisons. Their strengths (including their knowledge of local contexts, their relevant expertise, and their perceptions of credibility among both prisoners and communities) therefore remain underutilized. 

The limited engagement of CSOs in this area may be a result of several factors, including States’ security concerns, lack of coordination and information-sharing, or political sensitivities concerning VEPs and prisons more broadly. CSOs, for their part, may face additional challenges (e.g., lack of resources, inadequate training or specialization to work with VEPs, and risk of instrumentalization). 

Despite these various challenges, it is likely that limiting the involvement of CSOs in the management, rehabilitation and reintegration of VEPs would ultimately be counterproductive. The potential for CSOs to play a meaningful role in supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of VEPs, as well as in the prevention of radicalization to violence in prisons, should not be undervalued.

The proposed high-level event would provide a platform to discuss the engagement of CSOs in these areas, the potential benefits of CSO involvement, key challenges, possible modalities, best practices and lessons learned from existing examples of CSO involvement, with the aim of supporting Member States in their efforts to identify a way forward in working more closely with CSOs to address the challenges involved in managing VEPs and preventing radicalization to violence in prisons.
 
The below are the expected outcomes of the side event:  
?    Highlight the role CSOs and independent experts play in the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates with ties to violent extremist groups and organizations as well as in the specific training programs for prison staff.
?    Demonstrate how the collaboration between CSOs and Member States can be beneficial in the reduction of violent extremism in prisons.  
?    Raise awareness of some of the political, operational and logistical challenges Member States and CSOs face related to joint work in prisons. 
?    Give first-hand experiences from Member States and CSOs on strategies and best practices implemented in prisons and communities.

Interpretation will be available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Additional information will be shared closer?to the event date.

The concept note and agenda for the virtual side event is available here. 

You can register here:

? **All registered participants will receive a meeting link the day prior to the event.**