Top UN officials urged [UN News Centre report] the international community on Thursday to develop human-rights-based responses for combating violent extremism as opposed to using a “security only” approach to dealing with the scourge. In a video message [statement, text] to the Human Rights Council Panel discussion in Geneva, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon [official website] stressed that “human rights and the rule of law should be central whether we are countering violent extremism or trying to prevent it …. That means addressing discrimination, ensuring good governance, and providing access to education, social services and employment opportunities.” The secretary general also stressed the need to avoid “use of sweeping definitions of terrorism or violent extremism that encroach on human rights.” The UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kate Gilmore [official profile] pointed in this regard that “heavy-handed” counter-terrorism responses following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US widened rifts between communities, deepened distrust, and generated divisive and often hateful public discourse. Gilmore specifically pointed to the “selective application of the term ‘violent extremism’ only to Muslim believers” which she warns reinforces intolerance and discrimination. Gilmore stressed that accountability for human rights violations, access to justice and remedies, equality and nondiscrimination are crucial to preventing and combating violent extremism. The UN General Assembly adopted the UNSG’s “Plan of Action,” which provides more than 70 recommendations to Member States and the UN system on February 12.

Human rights continue to be an important issue across the globe. On March 5, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein [official profile] urged [JURIST report] UN member states to remain focused on human rights in their “struggle against violent extremism.” Earlier the same week the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that more than 6,000 people have died [JURIST report] in the Ukraine conflict. Last month the UN reported widespread human rights abuses in Myanmar and increasing deaths [JURIST reports] in Iraq resulting from the Islamic State. Earlier last month human rights experts from the OHCHR urged [JURIST report] Spanish authorities to reject two suggested legal reformations that they say may disrupt freedom and fundamental human rights.