OSCE co-hosts international roundtable discussion on countering terrorism in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, 29 February 2016 – Factors underlying violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism and the ways to effectively address this threat in Central Asia and beyond were the focus of an international roundtable discussion organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the Centre for Military Strategic Research under the Ministry of Defence in Astana today.

“The OSCE continues to work with all participating States through our campaign ‘United in Countering Violent Extremism’, which is designed to unite the voices of all those opposing intolerance and terrorist radicalization in the OSCE region and beyond,” said Mirco Guenther, Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. “Unified international co-operation and the sharing of best practices are crucial to successfully counter the appeal of terrorism.” Guenther said.

The discussion brought together some 70 participants including high-level officials from the Mazhilis (Lower House of Parliament), the Presidential Administration, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministries of Defence and Interior, the National Security Committee, the Committee of Religious Affairs under the Culture and Sport Ministry, the Committee of Financial Monitoring under the Finance Ministry, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and the Constitutional Council. Also taking part were national experts, leaders of political parties and representatives of civil society, the UN Development Programme, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and bilateral embassies.

Major General (Ret.) Kozy-Korpesh Karbuzov, President of the Centre for Military Strategic Research said: “It is clearly evident that the fight against international terrorism requires a comprehensive approach involving the political, economic social and security spheres. All this shows that organizations focused on preventing violent extremism need a co-ordinated effort of government, civil society and individuals in society.”

Experts from Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan and the United Kingdom presented research on the behaviour and methodology of violent extremist groups, the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes, recruitment techniques and countering the propaganda of violent extremist groups among young people.

Subsequently participants developed a set of recommendations for Kazakhstan’s parliament and national experts on enhancing their interaction and co-operation with civil society in countering and preventing terrorism.

The event is part of the OSCE Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to assist the host country in countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.