A/HRC/33/29 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 30/15, the Human Rights Council expressed deep concern at the profound threat posed by acts resulting from violent extremism to the realization and enjoyment of human rights and by the increasing and serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law by violent extremist and terrorist groups. In this context, the Council referred to acts involving unlawful killings, the deliberate targeting of civilians, the unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers, sexual violence and other forms of violence, forced conversions, targeted persecution of individuals on the basis of their religion or belief, forced displacement and abduction, abuse of women and children, acts of violence against members of ethnic and religious minorities, and unlawful sieges involving civilians, especially minorities. 1 The General Assembly and the Security Council also have stressed the international nature of the question, with the Security Council drawing a link between violent extremism and terrorism, and warning that the former may be conducive to the latter. 2 2. Violent extremism as a phenomenon is difficult to fully grasp. While research is ongoing to arrive at an understanding of what turns individuals, especially young men, to extreme ideology, resulting in violent acts on a massive scale, States have been adopting measures to prevent and counter violent extremism. Recognizing the need for States and communities to act to prevent violent extremism, in January 2016 the Secretary-General launched the Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, which emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to countering terrorism and violent extremism that goes beyond “law enforcement, military or security measures to address development, good governance, human rights and humanitarian concerns”.3 That approach includes addressing conditions conducive to violent extremism and terrorism and the human rights and gender dimensions of that issue, and gives new impetus to action under pillars I and IV of the Global CounterTerrorism Strategy. The Secretary General has stressed that ensuring security and respect for human rights are not competing but rather complementary goals, and that human rights play a key role in ensuring that efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism are effective and sustainable. In other words, all legislation, policies and programmes to prevent and counter violent extremism must be designed and implemented in a manner that complies with human rights to avoid the vicious circle whereby measures taken would risk feeding the very phenomenon they are aimed at preventing. 3. In its resolution 30/15, the Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to submit to it, at its thirty-third session, a compilation report on best practices and lessons learned on how protecting and promoting human rights contribute to preventing and countering violent extremism. 4. In compiling the present report and as encouraged by the Council in resolution 30/15, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) sought inputs from Member States through their Permanent Missions in Geneva and New York, international and regional organizations, national human rights institutions, and nongovernmental organizations through a note verbale sent on 18 January 2016. Contributions were received from 28 Member States in all regions, three international and/or regional 1 2 3 Human Rights Council resolution 30/15. General Assembly resolutions 68/127 and 70/109; and Security Council resolutions 2178 (2014), 2242 (2015) and 2250 (2015). See A/70/674, para. 41. 3