Security Council Open Debate on Threats to International Peace and Security, May 2016

Long before the Geneva Conventions existed, Prophet Muhammad and subsequent scholars instituted a just-war doctrine. Among other things, during the conduct of war, Muslims are forbidden from harming non-combatants, particularly women, children, the elderly and the sick, as well as envoys, diplomats and those praying in houses of worship. They are even prohibited from harming civilian objects, including water wells, trees, crops and livestock. 

On a final note, I wish to stress that terrorist attacks do not discriminate among women or children; they do not discriminate between old or young; black or white; Muslims, Jews or Christians; rich or poor. All of us are potential victims of terrorism. In our response to this threat, let us not allow the terrorists to divide us. Hysterical responses to terrorism, including by discriminating against a group of people for their peaceful religious beliefs or branding an entire group of people as terrorists, will merely perpetuate terror and paranoia and further serve the terrorists’ narrative.

As occurred on Sunday with Cairo, Today we woke up to the news of new attacks in Baghdad, which have caused more than 70 fatalities. Most of the victims were women who were going to do their daily shopping. Once again, the daily lives of citizens have been tragically cut short. I offer my most heartfelt condolences to the people and the authorities of Iraq, and its Ambassador here present.

We know that in society itself — in civil society — there are moral forces and authoritative voices that rise against terrorism and violent extremism, and we must identify those voices. Besides having leaders and credible and authoritative voices, it is important to integrate the groups and communities that undertstand the problems and wish to contribute their proposals: young people, women, students and civil society organizations. Governments should not only consult each other, but also provide to social agents that promote peace and understanding with the support and platforms they need.

Only by combining more nuanced and comprehensive countering and prevention measures that address governance deficit, promote social development and dialogue and respect for the rule of law and human rights, develop strategic communications, engage women and youth and expand public-private partnerships can we reduce the appeal of and support for terrorist groups and enhance resilience against them. 

The dozens of ordinary men, women and children in a park in Lahore killed by a suicide bomber targeting Christians at Easter; the dozens of lives lost in terrorist strikes at Brussels’ airport and metro, and today, the tragic attacks in Baghdad killing at least 85 people underline the urgency of this debate.

The theme of this open debate is extremely important, because it calls us to strike terrorism at its very roots and where it must primarily be fought, namely, in the hearts and minds of men and women, in particular of those who are most at risk of radicalization and recruitment by terrorist groups. 

Women should be included in all stages of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of counter-terrorism efforts. Those efforts must be accompanied by the promotion of education for girls and women, which in the medium- and long-term, enables them to increase their capabilities, knowledge and resources and which, by extension, will enable them to play a more active role in the actions that States and societies take in countering terrorism and violent extremism.

The role of family and women is important in educating individuals and assimilating them into the communities.

Secondly, deradicalization programmes must be complemented by counter-radicalization, which aims at providing the public with narratives to counter those of the terrorists. Our counter-radicalization programmes involve many important stakeholders, such as educational and religious institutions, youth organizations, media, women, victims of terrorist attacks and even former terrorists, at both the national and provincial levels. Within the context of counterradicalization, we have put in place appropriate measures to prevent the spread of terrorists’ messages through the Internet. We also use the Internet to prevent, detect and deter acts of terrorism. That include creating websites to disseminate messages of peace and respect and the gathering of information that may lead to the prevention of terrorism and prosecution of terrorist suspects.

Governments have the primary responsibility for preventing extremism, but they can only succeed if  they work closely with civil society, including with young people and women. That is why Norway has initiated the launch of two civil-society networks. First, there is YouthCAN, which is a network of young people working together against violent extremism, not least by developing alternative narratives. Secondly, we have established an alliance of women’s organizations. Many of the women in the alliance have suffered directly from extremism in places like Syria and Iraq. There can be no more qualified and credible voices in speaking out against terrorism than its victims and witnesses. Norway will continue to work with these networks and help them expand.

Fourthly, it will be crucial to give due consideration to the impact of terrorist and violent extremist ideologies on women in affected communities. We must revisit the traditional approaches, in which women are seen as victims of terrorism and violent extremism, and further explore their potential roles as agents of prevention, resilience and change at the community level — and even as perpetrators.

In the current global climate of unspeakable brutality committed by these terrorist outfits, let us not forget that it was the Taliban who stoned women to death; it was the Taliban who closed girls’ schools, thereby denying millions of girls of their right to education; it was the Taliban who prevented women from pursuing a livelihood; and it was they who introduced suicide attacks on civilians and destroyed towns and villages in Afghanistan. One can easily trace how the Taliban long started promoting Al-Qaida and Da’esh-style divisive and hateful ideology.

 Moreover, it is imperative to undertake efforts to foster an honest, open intercivilization and interreligious dialogue that involves and reaches not only leaders and Governments, but also the average civilian, including young people and women.

As occurred on Sunday with Cairo, Today we woke up to the news of new attacks in Baghdad, which have caused more than 70 fatalities. Most of the victims were women who were going to do their daily shopping. Once again, the daily lives of citizens have been tragically cut short. I offer my most heartfelt condolences to the people and the authorities of Iraq, and its Ambassador here present.

We know that in society itself — in civil society — there are moral forces and authoritative voices that rise against terrorism and violent extremism, and we must identify those voices. Besides having leaders and credible and authoritative voices, it is important to integrate the groups and communities that undertstand the problems and wish to contribute their proposals: young people, women, students and civil society organizations. Governments should not only consult each other, but also provide to social agents that promote peace and understanding with the support and platforms they need.

Secondly, deradicalization programmes must be complemented by counter-radicalization, which aims at providing the public with narratives to counter those of the terrorists. Our counter-radicalization programmes involve many important stakeholders, such as educational and religious institutions, youth organizations, media, women, victims of terrorist attacks and even former terrorists, at both the national and provincial levels. Within the context of counterradicalization, we have put in place appropriate measures to prevent the spread of terrorists’ messages through the Internet. We also use the Internet to prevent, detect and deter acts of terrorism. That include creating websites to disseminate messages of peace and respect and the gathering of information that may lead to the prevention of terrorism and prosecution of terrorist suspects.

Governments have the primary responsibility for preventing extremism, but they can only succeed if  they work closely with civil society, including with young people and women. That is why Norway has initiated the launch of two civil-society networks. First, there is YouthCAN, which is a network of young people working together against violent extremism, not least by developing alternative narratives. Secondly, we have established an alliance of women’s organizations. Many of the women in the alliance have suffered directly from extremism in places like Syria and Iraq. There can be no more qualified and credible voices in speaking out against terrorism than its victims and witnesses. Norway will continue to work with these networks and help them expand.

Fourthly, it will be crucial to give due consideration to the impact of terrorist and violent extremist ideologies on women in affected communities. We must revisit the traditional approaches, in which women are seen as victims of terrorism and violent extremism, and further explore their potential roles as agents of prevention, resilience and change at the community level — and even as perpetrators.

The role of women is important in participating in the decision-making process on all political, economic and social platforms. Children and young people must be cared for and provided with educational opportunities throughout their lives, with a view to knowing

Women should be included in all stages of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of counter-terrorism efforts. Those efforts must be accompanied by the promotion of education for girls and women, which in the medium- and long-term, enables them to increase their capabilities, knowledge and resources and which, by extension, will enable them to play a more active role in the actions that States and societies take in countering terrorism and violent extremism.

Governments have the primary responsibility for preventing extremism, but they can only succeed if  they work closely with civil society, including with young people and women. That is why Norway has initiated the launch of two civil-society networks. First, there is YouthCAN, which is a network of young people working together against violent extremism, not least by developing alternative narratives. Secondly, we have established an alliance of women’s organizations. Many of the women in the alliance have suffered directly from extremism in places like Syria and Iraq. There can be no more qualified and credible voices in speaking out against terrorism than its victims and witnesses. Norway will continue to work with these networks and help them expand.

Long before the Geneva Conventions existed, Prophet Muhammad and subsequent scholars instituted a just-war doctrine. Among other things, during the conduct of war, Muslims are forbidden from harming non-combatants, particularly women, children, the elderly and the sick, as well as envoys, diplomats and those praying in houses of worship. They are even prohibited from harming civilian objects, including water wells, trees, crops and livestock. 

On a final note, I wish to stress that terrorist attacks do not discriminate among women or children; they do not discriminate between old or young; black or white; Muslims, Jews or Christians; rich or poor. All of us are potential victims of terrorism. In our response to this threat, let us not allow the terrorists to divide us. Hysterical responses to terrorism, including by discriminating against a group of people for their peaceful religious beliefs or branding an entire group of people as terrorists, will merely perpetuate terror and paranoia and further serve the terrorists’ narrative.

The dozens of ordinary men, women and children in a park in Lahore killed by a suicide bomber targeting Christians at Easter; the dozens of lives lost in terrorist strikes at Brussels’ airport and metro, and today, the tragic attacks in Baghdad killing at least 85 people underline the urgency of this debate.

Women should be included in all stages of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of counter-terrorism efforts. Those efforts must be accompanied by the promotion of education for girls and women, which in the medium- and long-term, enables them to increase their capabilities, knowledge and resources and which, by extension, will enable them to play a more active role in the actions that States and societies take in countering terrorism and violent extremism.

Secondly, deradicalization programmes must be complemented by counter-radicalization, which aims at providing the public with narratives to counter those of the terrorists. Our counter-radicalization programmes involve many important stakeholders, such as educational and religious institutions, youth organizations, media, women, victims of terrorist attacks and even former terrorists, at both the national and provincial levels. Within the context of counterradicalization, we have put in place appropriate measures to prevent the spread of terrorists’ messages through the Internet. We also use the Internet to prevent, detect and deter acts of terrorism. That include creating websites to disseminate messages of peace and respect and the gathering of information that may lead to the prevention of terrorism and prosecution of terrorist suspects.

In the current global climate of unspeakable brutality committed by these terrorist outfits, let us not forget that it was the Taliban who stoned women to death; it was the Taliban who closed girls’ schools, thereby denying millions of girls of their right to education; it was the Taliban who prevented women from pursuing a livelihood; and it was they who introduced suicide attacks on civilians and destroyed towns and villages in Afghanistan. One can easily trace how the Taliban long started promoting Al-Qaida and Da’esh-style divisive and hateful ideology.

 Moreover, it is imperative to undertake efforts to foster an honest, open intercivilization and interreligious dialogue that involves and reaches not only leaders and Governments, but also the average civilian, including young people and women.

 On the extremist front, terrorism preys on vulnerable groups, such as women and children, and even soft targets such as medical facilities and health-care personnel. Terrorism ignores geographical and ethical boundaries. 

In the current global climate of unspeakable brutality committed by these terrorist outfits, let us not forget that it was the Taliban who stoned women to death; it was the Taliban who closed girls’ schools, thereby denying millions of girls of their right to education; it was the Taliban who prevented women from pursuing a livelihood; and it was they who introduced suicide attacks on civilians and destroyed towns and villages in Afghanistan. One can easily trace how the Taliban long started promoting Al-Qaida and Da’esh-style divisive and hateful ideology.

On a final note, I wish to stress that terrorist attacks do not discriminate among women or children; they do not discriminate between old or young; black or white; Muslims, Jews or Christians; rich or poor. All of us are potential victims of terrorism. In our response to this threat, let us not allow the terrorists to divide us. Hysterical responses to terrorism, including by discriminating against a group of people for their peaceful religious beliefs or branding an entire group of people as terrorists, will merely perpetuate terror and paranoia and further serve the terrorists’ narrative.

As occurred on Sunday with Cairo, Today we woke up to the news of new attacks in Baghdad, which have caused more than 70 fatalities. Most of the victims were women who were going to do their daily shopping. Once again, the daily lives of citizens have been tragically cut short. I offer my most heartfelt condolences to the people and the authorities of Iraq, and its Ambassador here present.

Only by combining more nuanced and comprehensive countering and prevention measures that address governance deficit, promote social development and dialogue and respect for the rule of law and human rights, develop strategic communications, engage women and youth and expand public-private partnerships can we reduce the appeal of and support for terrorist groups and enhance resilience against them. 

Governments have the primary responsibility for preventing extremism, but they can only succeed if  they work closely with civil society, including with young people and women. That is why Norway has initiated the launch of two civil-society networks. First, there is YouthCAN, which is a network of young people working together against violent extremism, not least by developing alternative narratives. Secondly, we have established an alliance of women’s organizations. Many of the women in the alliance have suffered directly from extremism in places like Syria and Iraq. There can be no more qualified and credible voices in speaking out against terrorism than its victims and witnesses. Norway will continue to work with these networks and help them expand.

On a final note, I wish to stress that terrorist attacks do not discriminate among women or children; they do not discriminate between old or young; black or white; Muslims, Jews or Christians; rich or poor. All of us are potential victims of terrorism. In our response to this threat, let us not allow the terrorists to divide us. Hysterical responses to terrorism, including by discriminating against a group of people for their peaceful religious beliefs or branding an entire group of people as terrorists, will merely perpetuate terror and paranoia and further serve the terrorists’ narrative.

Only by combining more nuanced and comprehensive countering and prevention measures that address governance deficit, promote social development and dialogue and respect for the rule of law and human rights, develop strategic communications, engage women and youth and expand public-private partnerships can we reduce the appeal of and support for terrorist groups and enhance resilience against them. 

Fourthly, it will be crucial to give due consideration to the impact of terrorist and violent extremist ideologies on women in affected communities. We must revisit the traditional approaches, in which women are seen as victims of terrorism and violent extremism, and further explore their potential roles as agents of prevention, resilience and change at the community level — and even as perpetrators.

 On the extremist front, terrorism preys on vulnerable groups, such as women and children, and even soft targets such as medical facilities and health-care personnel. Terrorism ignores geographical and ethical boundaries.