Despite the efforts, “terrorism and violent extremism” continue to “develop”, the UN secretary general said on Monday, calling for fighting their “root causes”, such as poverty and human rights violations.
“Despite the clear progress we have made over the years, terrorism and violent extremism continue to take root and grow,” Antonio Guterres said at a conference on the subject, calling for “a common front against this global threat “.
“Al-Qaeda and Daesh affiliated groups in Africa are rapidly gaining ground in regions like the Sahel and heading south towards the Gulf of Guinea,” he said, also referring to ISIL’s “brutal legacy in Syria and Iraq.”
“In several countries, neo-Nazi and white supremacist movements are fast becoming the main threats to internal security,” the secretary general said.
“Addressing the root causes that can lead to terrorism”
After emphasizing that terrorism feeds on the multiple crises facing the world -food and energy crises, the “hell” of climate change, the propagation of hate on the Internet-, he called for “prevention”, “the most effective way to contain this threat.
But “the work of prevention is not limited to frustrating attacks or conspiracies,” he insisted before the representatives of the anti-terrorism organizations of the UN member states meeting until Tuesday in New York.
“It is also about addressing the root causes that can lead to terrorism, including poverty, discrimination, disillusionment, deficiencies in infrastructure and institutions, and gross violations of human rights.”
Call for the repatriation of foreign jihadists
He also insisted that the fight against terrorism be part of respect for human rights. Even in terms of repatriation of foreign jihadists and their families still detained in camps since the defeat of IS.
“I reiterate my call to all member states to help speed up repatriation, which is an urgent priority,” he said.
“It is a matter of human decency and compassion, and also of safety. We must prevent the legacy of yesterday’s battles from giving rise to tomorrow’s conflicts.”
Source: BFM TV
