A/HRC/33/28 laws and policies that combat social exclusion or marginalization were essential elements in the effective prevention and countering of violent extremism. Enhancing respect for economic, cultural and social rights by and for everyone, on an equal basis, was key to immunizing individuals, communities and societies against the rhetoric of violent extremism. Equal and pluralistic participation in all aspects of political and public life was essential to building cohesive societies. Respect for women’s human rights and the provision of quality education based on human rights were indispensable in helping to create understanding and mutual respect between communities. 11. Furthermore, the Deputy High Commissioner referred to the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action, which underscored that violent extremism must be met with accountability. Accountability measures were not only a matter of legal obligations, but also the very basis on which trust in public institutions, duty bearers and public leaders could be fostered. Counter-terrorism measures that led to human rights violations had been used as a rallying cry by violent extremists in the recruitment of new supporters. Access to justice and remedies was crucial for upholding the dignity of victims of terrorism and violent extremism, both in cases where State or non-State actors had committed the violations or the abuse. In particular, women and girls who had suffered torture, ill-treatment and sexual violence must be provided with redress, including all the support they need. 12. The Deputy High Commissioner welcomed the focus on preventing and countering violent extremism as a shift away from a “security-only” approach. The SecretaryGeneral’s Plan of Action gave new impetus to addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and to taking measures to ensure respect for human rights for all, as set out in pillars I and IV of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.2 In conclusion, she recalled the Secretary-General’s words of caution: it was important to avoid sweeping definitions of violent extremism that encroached on human rights. The broadening of the notion “violent extremism” to mere “extremism” was potentially destructive, and political opponents or critics of governmental action should not automatically be considered as extremists. The Deputy High Commissioner stressed that words and ideas should not be conflated with actual conduct, and that dissent and debate were essential to human progress. III. Initial contributions of the panellists 13. The Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, who was also the moderator of the panel, opened the panel discussion. She recalled that, in its resolution 30/15, the Human Rights Council had reaffirmed that violent extremism constituted a serious common concern for all States and had noted that while there could be no excuse or justification for violent extremism, abuses and violations of human rights may be among the elements that contributed to creating an environment in which people, especially youth, were vulnerable to the kind of radicalization that leads to violent extremism and recruitment by violent extremists and terrorists. 14. After introducing the first panellist, Ms. Ghanea, the moderator asked her to explain how States and the international community should respond to violent extremism, also in view of the Human Rights Council’s reaffirmation of the international obligations of States to promote and protect human rights while preventing and countering violent extremism, as well as the commitment of States to address the conditions conducive to violent extremism. 2 4 General Assembly resolution 60/288.