The Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue, under the chair of Dr. Hanif Hassan Al Qassim, Chairman of the Board, in conjunction with the Algerian Permanent Representative Mission in Geneva, organised a panel discussion titled "Getting Rid of Militancy or Ways to Defeat Violent Extremism."
The discussion was held on the sidelines of the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council currently meeting in Geneva.
Ambassador Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other Organisations in Geneva, stressed, "Violent extremism is one of the most dangerous phenomena facing all countries. What happened last week in Britain reminds us that violence is not only fuelled by religion, but also by terrorism with multiple roots and causes that engulfs the world."
He noted that the UAE was one of the first countries that adopted a comprehensive and multi-pronged counter-terrorism and extremism strategy.
Ambassador Al Zaabi said the UAE has issued laws and legislation on combating terrorism and violent extremism, including the Federal Law No. (1) for the year 2004 on the fight against terrorist crimes, Federal Law No. (39) of 2006 on international judicial co-operation in criminal matters, Federal Law No. (7) for the year 2013 on setting up the International Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism (Hedayah) The recent legislative measures to strengthen the fight against extremism and terrorism were issued by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They called for penal action against contempt of religion and holy sites, and the fight against all forms of discrimination. These laws also reject hate speech.
Al Zaabi said the country has, in cooperation with the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments, instilled moderation, co-existence and tolerance values in society, which is a shield in the face of extremism, with the aim to promote religious consciousness and Islamic culture, and restore the tolerant image of Islam to counter extremism and radicalism that some elements try to impose on religious discourse.
At the regional level, he continued, the UAE hosts the Muslim Council of Elders established in 2014 to promote peace in Muslim societies and enhance the tolerant teachings of Islam through a group of moderate, just, and independent scholars.
Al Zaabi also emphasised that the UAE gives utmost attention to media and social aspects, deeming them successful and effective tools to raise awareness and moderate thought.
He added that the country also adopts a number of strategic initiatives that harness social media in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, most notably, " the Hedayah (Arabic for Guidance) Centre," which is an interactive initiative in co-operation with the United States to utilise the social media in order to correct misconceptions, and provide a wider space for moderate voices in the framework of strengthening the efforts of the international coalition to fight Daesh.
Al Zaabi expressed his pride at the Ministry of Tolerance, created with a view to spreading tolerance and promoting peaceful co-existence in the country, and said that the UAE is home to more than 200 nationalities living in harmony, tolerance and in a peaceful atmosphere.
