On 17 December 2021, CTED held a virtual meeting to explore the post-COVID landscape and the implications for terrorism, counter-terrorism, and countering violent extremism (CVE).
The event also served to launch the fourth and final paper in CTED’s analytical series on the impact of the pandemic, which was developed in accordance with CTED’s mandate to identify emerging issues, trends, and developments.
CTED’s analytical series (which included reports published in June and December 2020 and June and December 2021) has provided the Counter-Terrorism Committee and policymakers with an analysis of the key short, medium, and long-term impacts of the pandemic.
During the event, four panellists from CTED’s Global Research Network (GRN) explored the topic from different geographical perspectives. The event was attended by more than 25 participants from various regions, enabling researchers and other civil society actors to share their insights and experience with policymakers and practitioners.
Assistant Secretary-General Michèle Coninsx, Executive Director of CTED, delivered opening remarks, noting the critical need to focus on the development of evidence-based policies that could ensure both counter-terrorism progress and an inclusive recovery from the pandemic that left no one behind. Assistant Secretary-General Coninsx also presented a short video, showcasing highlights from previous CTED events and the views of CTED partners, including GRN members.
The panellists highlighted key developments in States affected by terrorism, including with respect to the direct or indirect effects of COVID-19 and the implications for future counter-terrorism and CVE programming and practice.
Participants discussed the humanitarian cost of the pandemic for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), noting, for example, that in the case of ISIL-associated individuals detained in the Syrian Arab Republic, repatriations had slowed in the wake of the pandemic. In Mozambique, COVID-19-related visa restrictions on foreigners had limited humanitarian access to IDPs.
Participants also referred to expressions of dissatisfaction at certain COVID-19-related actions taken by Governments (including reports of excessive use of force by security forces to enforce pandemic-related restrictions), noting how those actions had united violent extremists across the ideological spectrum and directly or indirectly helped fuel violent extremist narratives.
Panellists also stressed the need for enhanced measures to counter violent extremism and violent extremist narratives at the community level, including by strengthening support for frontline workers and developing tailored and comprehensive policies that are gender-sensitive and human rights compliant.
Participants noted the need to give careful consideration to the long-term effects of COVID-19 on terrorism, counter terrorism and CVE as practitioners seek to develop strategies for future action in those areas.
You can watch the full event here.