MEDIA ADVISORY High-Level Conference on Human Rights, Civil Society and Counter-Terrorism

MEDIA ADVISORY

The High-Level Conference on Human Rights, Civil Society and Counter-Terrorism, co-organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Kingdom of Spain will be held in Malaga on 10 and 11 May. The Conference will bring together member states, international organizations, civil society organizations and human rights defenders for a robust and practical exchange on how to formulate human rights and rule of law-compliant responses to terrorism. 

The Conference will be opened on 10 May by H.E. José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, and Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism. United Nations Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres will deliver keynote remarks by video message

The opening session will be followed by a High-Level Ministerial Segment and several thematic sessions, in which ministerial delegations and participants will take part in person. These sessions will focus on: (a) Human Rights and the Rule of Law as the Cornerstone of Effective Counter-Terrorism Efforts; (b) Protection of Principled Humanitarian Action; (c) Victims and Survivors of Terrorism; (d) Civil Society Efforts for Preventing and Countering Terrorism; and (e) Role of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Architecture.

H.E. Mr Fernando Grande-Marlask, Minister of the Interior of Spain and Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism will chair the closing ceremony on 11 May.

The “Memories” campaign showcasing the stories of victims of terrorism from across the globe will be launched at the Conference with a film and an on-site photographic exhibition.

In advance of the Conference, the Kingdom of Spain and Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism will host a workshop on Enhancing Civil Society Leadership and Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Counter-Terrorism on 9 May. In addition, a series of six side events, each focusing on emerging and priority topics in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism, will take place on 9 May between 9 am – 6:30 pm (CEST). 

KEY MEDIA INFORMATION

•    The opening session (10 May, 3PM CEST) and the closing session (11 May, 3PM CEST) of the High Level Conference  as well as the side events (9 May, 9 am - 6:30 pm CEST) will be live-streamed and available on demand on UN WebTV (webtv.un.org).
•    More information on the side events, including registration links and programmes, can be accessed in the journal of side events on the UNOCT website (https://bit.ly/Malaga2022-Journal).
•    Accredited media representatives who wish to attend the conference are kindly asked to obtain accreditation by 9 May 2022: here 
•    More information, including the up-to-date programme and list of speakers, is available (in EN and SP) at bit.ly/Malaga2022. 
•    Social media Hashtags: #UNMalaga2022 #UNiteToCounterTerrorism 
•    Social media Spanish MOFA:  Twitter Handles @MAECgob and @SpainMFA, Instagram account @EXTERIORES.MAEC and Facebook.
•    Social media UNOCT: Twitter Handle @UN_OCT  

For any queries, please contact:
•    Beatriz Muñoz, MFA Spain, prensa@maec.es
•    Laurence Gerard, Public Information Officer, UNOCT, gerardl@un.org 
•    Anna Fritzsche, Communications Advisor, UNOCT, fritzsche@un.org