A/HRC/33/29 individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs”.28 Some definitions of “extremism” refer to notions or aims which are racist, anarchist, nationalist, authoritarian or totalitarian regardless of their political, ideological, religious or philosophic character, and which are contrary, in theory or in practice, to principles of democracy or human rights, to the good functioning of the democratic institutions of the State or to other basic principles of the rule of law. 29 Some laws and policies go further and describe extremism as encompassing non-violent conduct, including conduct deemed to insult national pride or breach national dignity, 30 or knowingly disseminating false accusations against federal or regional officials, such as allegations that they have committed illegal or criminal acts in their official capacity.31 If they are not limited to “violent” extremism, such measures risk targeting the holding of an opinion or belief rather than actual conduct. 19. Another term that is often used is “radicalization”, with a number of States adopting some policy responses to this phenomenon. The notion of “radicalization” is generally used to convey the idea of a process through which an individual adopts an increasingly extremist set of beliefs and aspirations. This may include, but is not defined by, the willingness to condone, support, facilitate or use violence to further political, ideological, religious or other goals.32 States and other stakeholders use various definitions for radicalization, frequently limiting the focus to “violent” radicalization33 or radicalization leading to terrorism.34 The European Police Office (Europol) has recently recommended referring to a “violent extremist social trend” rather than using the term “radicalization”. 35 However, such vague concepts risk infringing human rights, including article 15 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Secretary-General, in his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, left the definition of violent extremism to the domestic level but cautioned that such definitions must be consistent with States’ obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law.36 20. Moreover, a legal or policy framework that fails to clearly define the phenomenon it seeks to address not only risks leading to inefficient measures, but may also become harmful. Vague concepts such as “violent extremism”, “extremism” or “radicalization” are 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 8 United Kingdom, “A stronger Britain, built on our values”, speech of the Home Secretary (23 March 2015), available from https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/a-stronger-britain-built-on-ourvalues. Government of Belgium, Direction générale sécurité et prévention, “Définitions: radicalisation violente”, available from https://www.besafe.be/fr/base-de-connaissance/d-finitions-radicalisationviolente. Article 19, “Kyrgyzstan: Law on Countering Extremist Activity” (London, December 2015), available from at https://www.article19.org/data/files/medialibrary/38221/Kyrgyzstan-ExtremismLA-Final.pdf; and Tajikistan, Law No. 69/2003 on the Fight Against Extremism, art. 3. See Russian Federation, Federal Law No. 114 FZ on Countering Extremist Activity (2002), art. 1. Government of Denmark, “A common and safe future: an action plan to prevent extremist views and radicalisation among young people” (2009); and Council of Europe, Guidelines for Prison and Probation Services Regarding Radicalisation and Violent Extremism (2016). Government of Canada, “Violent extremism”; and European Commission’s Expert Group on Violent Radicalisation, “Radicalisation processes leading to acts of terrorism” (2008). Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Preventing Terrorism and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism: A Community-Policing Approach (February 2014). European Police Office, “Changes in modus operandi of Islamic State terrorist attacks” (January 2016), available from https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/changes-modus-operandi-islamic-stateterrorist-attacks. See A/70/674, para. 5.