A/HRC/33/28 15. Ms. Ghanea referred to Human Rights Council resolution 30/15, in which the Council emphasized that all actions to prevent and counter violent extremism must be in full compliance with international human rights law, refugee law and international humanitarian law. She stressed that those safeguards were crucial because otherwise the very actions aiming at preventing violent extremism would themselves risk fuelling further violent extremism. Positive investments in ensuring full compliance with article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on freedom of religion or belief could provide a bulwark against violent extremism. The important link between upholding freedom of religion or belief and inoculating against intolerance had already been made in the final document of the international consultative conference on school education in relation to freedom of religion or belief, tolerance and non-discrimination, organized by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and held in Madrid from 23 to 25 November 2001.3 She also noted that people may be victims of discrimination on the basis of their religion or belief, but that discrimination and violence may also be carried out in the name of religion and thus be based on the religious tenets of the perpetrator. 16. Ms. Ghanea recalled that, in its resolution 16/18, the Human Rights Council had laid out a number of helpful actions such as collaborative projects in the fields of health, conflict prevention, employment, media education, training of government officials and the encouragement of the open, constructive and respectful debate of ideas. In that same resolution, it also stressed the need for non-discrimination, meaningful participation and strong efforts to counter religious profiling. Drawing attention to the Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence,4 Ms. Ghanea described a number of initiatives to counter incitement to hatred that could contribute to preventing and countering violent extremism. In the Rabat Plan of Action, the significance of respecting freedom of expression was recognized and the crucial role of religious and political leaders in speaking out firmly and promptly was emphasized. The three-fold test of legality, proportionality and necessity in respect of restrictions on freedom of expression was also stressed as imperative for preventing and countering violent extremism. Related measures had to be carried out with care and attention because otherwise there was a risk of discrimination and of compromising the work of civil society organizations and communities. 17. Ms. Ghanea concluded that human rights violations could flow from overly broad responses to violent extremism. She recalled that the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism had warned that the elasticity of the term “violent extremism” could have a serious negative impact on many human rights.5 In his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, the Secretary-General had stressed the need for all legislation, policies, strategies and practices adopted to prevent violent extremism to be firmly grounded in the respect for human rights and the rule of law. 18. The moderator then asked the second panellist, Mr. Garatea, in view of his expertise and experience as former Chair of the National Bureau for the Fight against Poverty in Peru, to share his views on how poverty eradication projects could be part of the national strategies to address conditions conducive to violent extremism. 19. Mr. Garatea noted that each party to a conflict had its reasons for taking part in that conflict. The search for a solution at any price was not the best way to solve disputes but 3 4 5 See E/CN.4/2002/73, annex, appendix. See A/HRC/22/17/Add.4, annex, appendix. See A/HRC/31/65, para. 54. 5

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