Let me first give my thanks to the briefers, for their comprehensive overview on the topic. I thank Tunisia for organizing today’s event. Estonia is proud to co-sponsor today’s arria formula meeting. Let me also use this opportunity to highlight Tunisia’s work as the chair of the CTC committee in these hectic times.
As we are slowly moving towards planning the post-pandemic counter-terrorism strategies, it is essential to listen to the experts on how the pandemic has influenced the bigger picture. The resources are always limited, therefore it is crucial to be well informed. We have learned that the pandemic has created additional stressors around the world and in some cases, the stressors have contributed to the ever-present radicalization threat.
It has been very concerning to witness that on occasions, COVID-19 has been used as a pretext to curtail civil liberties. Suspending assembly and mobility rights has paved way for significant human rights concerns, which can contribute to radicalization and terrorism. Estonia is convinced that States must ensure that all counter terrorism measures comply with their obligations under international law, in particular with international human rights law, refugee law and international humanitarian law. Ignoring these principles can undermine counter terrorism activities and lead to increased radicalization fed by violence and a sense of impunity. Ensuring accountability and denying impunity is an essential part of countering terrorism.
According to CTED, there has been a diversion of counter-terrorism resources to pandemic response, including the decreased funding for training and capacity-building projects, a decrease in security assistance, and the halting of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development initiatives to counter violent extremism. All this leaves behind a gap, which must be filled sooner rather than later. In addition to that, the economic downturn, caused by the pandemic, has left many people without means to get by, exacerbating the grievances and drivers of terrorism and violent extremism.
During the pandemic, our daily lives have increasingly moved online, which has not gone unnoticed by terrorists and violent extremists. They have exploited the increased use of internet to spread propaganda, misinformation and hence paving the way for radicalization. As more youth and children are accessing online content while schools have been on lockdown, it is a worrying sign. In order to tackle this phenomenon, critical thinking and education must become our main focus.
While designing post-pandemic tools to combat terrorism and violent extremism, the pre-pandemic principles of honouring human rights, accountability and whole-of-government approach must stand in the centre of our response, as they are more relevant than ever.
To overcome the negative aspects of the pandemic, we must continue to hasten the vaccine rollout all over the world, to close the existing gaps between developing and developed countries. This gives us a chance to shift our focus back to pre-pandemic problems and tackle them more effectively. We must be able to return to normalcy, to be able to better target the root causes of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization.
Thank you.