The multifaceted nature of violent extremism and terrorism in all its forms suggests that conditions conducive to violent extremism and terrorism are similarly diverse. Some of the cardinal root causes tend to be ideological, political, economic, or religious in nature; but also coupled with confounding causes linked to issues like mental health or education, to mention just a few.
Several thousand citizens from Central Asia are known to have joined the self-proclaimed “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS/Daesh)” as Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs). Many of them and their families have been repatriated to their countries of origin by their respective Governments as part of Government-led repatriation programs, a move widely praised in the region but also in the international arena. This opens up questions about the degree of multiagency preparedness among state and non-state actors with regard to reintegration and rehabilitation aspects, as well as the potential prosecution of FTFs in line with the international human rights law, including international humanitarian law and refugee law as prerequisites for the protection of the lives, health and dignity of persons.
Please join the Central Asia Program for an opportunity for a frank exchange of ideas on the theme of prevention and countering violent extremism in Central Asia, including on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for domestic actors but also the international community as a key partner in the region with Fejzo Numanaj.
