New York – The fight against terrorism must not be carried out in such a way that we infringe upon basic freedoms, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said on Wednesday in New York.
Eliasson made this known during the Security Council open debate focusing on countering the narratives and ideologies of terrorism.
He also said that violations of human rights in the name of countering violent extremism will give terrorists their best recruitment tools.
“Marginalising or demonising certain groups ,whoever they may be, feed the us against them syndrome and mentality which is one of the gravest threats in our world today.
“In a deeper sense, the best narrative to counter violent extremism may perhaps not be a narrative.
“This whole discussion is not about a story. It is about action to build peace, development and human rights.
“It is about standing together in global solidarity against forces which want to divide and scare us, which want us to forget the beauty of diversity and the tremendous power of fundamental and universal values and principles,” he said.
Terrorists, he said, are aiming to create a climate of fear and hysteria where human rights are suppressed.
“We must answer by adamantly preserving our common values, amplifying moderate voices and enabling individual freedom.
“The fight against terrorism must not be carried out in such a way that we infringe upon basic freedoms.
“Violations of human rights in the name of countering violent extremism will give terrorists their best recruitment tools,” he added.
Eliasson also said that the Internet is a powerful tool that violent extremists have used to spread their messages of hate.
He called for more of study and research on how violent extremists are using the Internet and social media.
At the same time, he said, it is important to uphold freedom of speech, expression and assembly.
Efforts, he added, should be redoubled to protect pluralism and diversity, also in media.
The Council, he said, is all too aware of the volatile mix of protracted conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism in today’s world.
“You have used sanctions and other measures of the Council to stop their activities.
“You have understood the serious threat posed by terrorist groups, who control territories and population centres and attempt to blur borders between sovereign States.
“We all know that terrorist groups are exploiting religious beliefs in order to incite hatred and violence and to cause division and polarisation in our societies.
“We see it all around the world today.
“Terrorists and violent extremists blatantly challenge the values enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as our shared pursuit of peace, justice and human dignity.
“We must be aware that terrorist bombs are targeted to devastate more than human lives.
“They target our common values and spread fear.
“We have a responsibility to shield people from harm and from fear and to protect universal values from erosion,” he said.
He said there is a great deal of legitimate concern around the world about young people falling prey to terrorist narratives and ideologies.
The Security Council, he said, recognises the value and role of young people and young peace-builders in its historic resolution 2250 of December 2015.
He said that if young people are considered good enough to fight wars they certainly deserve the chance to make peace.
Eliasson called on Council and all Member States to translate the resolution into practice.
“We must do more than repeat general statements about youth being the leaders of the future as we often say.
“We must invest in youth today, with material resources and meaningful political empowerment.
“We must not only work for youth, we must work with youth.
“Instead of viewing young people as part of the problem, we must harness their immense potential to be part of the solutions,” he said.
In today’s world, he said, young people have superior communications skills, extensive social media networks and often more influential voices than their elders.
He said the Secretary-General has often stressed that terrorism and violent extremism are not related to any single ethnic group, nationality or religion.
Terrorists, he said, are united in their nihilistic and anti-humanistic beliefs.
The deputy secretary-general said it is necessary to now counter and refute false and nefarious narratives.
Such narratives, he added, must also be replaced with compelling alternative visions, backed by tangible opportunities for meaningful and constructive engagement. (NAN)