A/HRC/33/28 referred to his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism,1 in which he stressed that human rights and the rule of law played a central role in preventing and countering violent extremism. 6. The Secretary-General stated that, while there could be no justification for violent extremism, its drivers needed to be examined if effective and rights-based responses addressing discrimination, ensuring good governance and providing access to education, social services and employment opportunities were to be developed. The Secretary-General noted that such steps could help strengthen trust between State institutions and the people they served. While violent extremist groups were acting with growing impunity, it was essential for the fight against violent extremism to fully respect human rights. 7. The Secretary-General stressed that violent extremism must be addressed as an urgent human rights priority, avoiding the use of sweeping definitions of terrorism or violent extremism that encroached on human rights. He concluded that full respect for human rights and accountability for wrongdoing were essential to heal broken societies and successfully counter the threat posed by violent extremists. B. Statement by the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights 8. In her opening statement, the Deputy High Commissioner noted that the SecretaryGeneral’s Plan of Action was rights-affirming, ambitious and far-reaching, as it pointed to the broader factors that underlay, fostered and promoted violent extremism. Conditions conducive to violent extremism included real or perceived discrimination and injustice, political disenfranchisement, youth disenchantment and denial of identity. She reiterated the Secretary-General’s reminder that in recent years disregard for human rights had often exacerbated those conditions. Preventing and countering violent extremism required mobilizing a multitude of actors from a wide range of perspectives and sectors, all with actions firmly grounded in human rights and the rule of law. The Deputy High Commissioner highlighted three core messages: (a) responses to violent extremism that respected and protected human rights were more effective and sustainable than responses that did not; (b) equality and non-discrimination were the bedrock of preventing and countering violent extremism; and (c) accountability for human rights violations and abuses was essential for finding enduring solutions to violent extremism. 9. With regard to the need for a human rights-compliant response, the Deputy High Commissioner noted that poor governance, repressive policies and practices that violated human rights constituted the breeding ground for violent extremism. The negative impact of heavy-handed counter-terrorism measures following 11 September 2001 had only widened the rift between communities, deepened distrust and generated a hateful public discourse. One of the key lessons learned was that the selective application of the label “violent extremism” only to Muslims reinforced intolerance and discrimination. She stressed that upholding respect for freedom of religion, belief, opinion and expression was fundamental to the struggle against violent extremism. It was important to safeguard the space in which civil society could voice the concerns of diverse groups and communities and in which people’s involvement in decision-making could be facilitated. Any actions and measures to prevent or counter violent extremism must not be allowed to place unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions on the exercise and enjoyment of human rights. 10. The Deputy High Commissioner noted that equality and non-discrimination constituted a strong foundation for preventing and countering violent extremism. Therefore, 1 A/70/674. 3