Let me start by thanking the briefers, and the Secretary-General for his highly informative report.
Norway remains determined to continue the fight against ISIL with our international partners in the Global Coalition.
We also continue to support the United Nations’ leading role on preventing and countering all forms of terrorism.
President,
We remain concerned by ISIL’s continued foothold in Syria and Iraq, its capacity to recruit followers, and to plan and conduct terrorist attacks.
We strongly condemn the suicide attack in Baghdad on the 21 January, for which ISIL has claimed responsibility.
President,
We are equally concerned to see that ISIL and affiliated groups- or groups driven by the same ideology- continue to spread around the world. Including in the Sahel, West Africa, and the Lake Chad region.
As well as maintaining and continuing a presence in and around Afghanistan, which poses a threat to regional peace and stability.
Experience has repeatedly shown that ISIL and affiliated groups exploit existing conflicts and vulnerabilities in States and populations; causing a vicious cycle of further destabilization.
President,
Going forward we need to work preventively and in a comprehensive manner. I wish to highlight the following points;
- First, we need to address the root causes of radicalisation. Including factors leading to: grievances, marginalisation, exclusion, and injustice.
- Second, we must address the conflicts and complex vulnerable security situations that allow terrorist organizations to establish their presence.
- Third, climate change as an underlying driver for instability and conflict is an area of growing concern in many parts of the world. This should be factored into our responses.
President,
The increasing trend of online radicalization to all forms of violent extremism is highly worrying.
It has likely been exacerbated by a surge in online propaganda during the pandemic.
Action is urgently needed, including through a whole-of-society approach. The inclusion, and support of, private tech companies will be key.
We need to prevent ISIL and other terrorist groups from raising funds.
This includes through new methods such as crowdfunding, and the use of crypto currency or virtual assets.
President,
Our approaches to counterterrorism must be comprehensive.
Women’s efforts towards prevention, stabilisation, and de-radicalisation, at all levels of society, needs to be at the forefront of our action-plans.
Counterterrorism efforts cannot be an excuse to reduce civic space or humanitarian access.
We cannot overemphasise that States’ national security practices must comply with international law, including respecting and protecting human rights.
Furthermore, Sexual and Gender based violence is too often used as a weapon of war and a tactic of terrorism. Providing health services to survivors is essential. Including, sexual and reproductive services and psycho-social support.
President,
Evidence frequently shows torture leads to false confessions, resulting in false information.
It is therefore of the utmost importance that the gathering of Counterterrorism intel takes place in a non-coercive, human rights-compliant manner.
Norway is a long-standing supporter of the development of manuals and training on this method, equipping practitioners in the security sector with the best tools to ensure they can effectively do their job.
The sharing of information through international police and security cooperation, like INTERPOL's databases is also important
Finally President,
In closing, I wanted to reference the burials which took place this week of 103 members of the Yazidi community killed by ISIL.
The images of lines of coffins, and grieving families - including Nadia Murad, stands as a very real reminder.
A reminder of what is at stake in our international fight against terror.
Of the importance of accountability.
And of the importance of our words and commitments here today.