14.12.2012

Abu Dhabi, 14 dicembre 2012 - Allocuzione del Consigliere federale Didier Burkhalter - Fa stato la versione orale

Your Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Madam Secretary of State Clinton
Foreign Minister Davutoglu
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen

I would like to thank our host, the United Arab Emirates, for its generous hospitality and our Co-Chairs for their stewardship.

As the GCTF enters into the second year of operation, Switzerland is pleased with the level of cooperation among Members, but also between the Forum and external actors. We are particularly encouraged that UN representatives are regularly invited and participate at GCTF meetings. We appreciate the efficiency and the relationship of trust.

The Forum has already made a difference, which is also reflected in this meeting’s agenda.

[Switzerland’s position regarding the GCTF’s priority areas at the Abu Dhabi Meeting]
Switzerland welcomes the opening of the Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism here in Abu Dhabi. The Center will be an important tool to prevent terrorism, and we are grateful for the generosity of the United Arab Emirates. Switzerland offers the support by the Geneva Center for Security Policy which can draw on years of experience in research and training. Violent extremism has many sources. But the bottom line is that terrorists decide that spreading terror and violence is both justified and efficient in bringing about ideological, political or social change. Sometimes, blind infatuation is at the origin.
Then there is not much to do but to exercise even stricter vigilance. But sometimes, isolation or a feeling of impotency and despair come into the picture. There, our response to the danger of radicalization must be more encompassing. The question then is how to offer these people prospects for viable and truly legitimate change. Issues like inclusiveness, integration, respect for minorities, empowerment and participatory rights are important. These issues are very complex and we look forward to the work of the Center of Excellence.

Switzerland equally welcomes the adoption of the Algiers Memorandum on Good Practices on Preventing and Denying the Benefits of Kidnapping for Ransom by Terrorists, which is a highly significant document. Switzerland takes a tough stance and does not pay any ransom. We look forward to the implementation of the document in the coming months. But our efforts have to go beyond the issue of ransom. We also have to strengthen international cooperation for preventing kidnapping and, if a need occurs, for rescuing and ensuring the safe and unharmed release of hostages.

The rule of law is a fundamental principle for Switzerland. Therefore we welcome the creation of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law in Tunisia. The institute provides an answer in particular for countries that have experienced years of oppression and disrespect for the rule of law. The Institute will be able to play a critical role in Northern Africa and beyond, maximizing its output in close coordination and cooperation with existing institutions and programmes in the region. Here again, Switzerland could contribute through the Geneva Center for Security Policy.

The Rabat Memorandum adopted in Istanbul provides for a useful tool. It needs to be implemented, however, in conformity with the various existing international conventions, including human rights instruments, as well as the practice of international bodies.

Finally, Switzerland is particularly pleased that Victims of terrorism all over the world became a priority area of work for the GCTF. They deserve recognition in their own right. Respect for their genuine interests must be our utmost priority. But it is also true that their messages may be crucial in countering the narrative of terrorism. It is important that we can move today from words to action by adopting the Plan of Action on Victims of Terrorism.

[Switzerland’s contribution to GCTF]
Ladies and Gentlemen,

In Istanbul, we underlined the need for the GCTF to focus on practical work, mobilizing expertise and resources within the different working groups. Let me give some examples of Swiss contributions:

  • Together with Nigeria and ECOWAS, we organized an expert meeting on countering terrorist financing in West Africa just two days ago.
  • We plan to support the establishment of a Regional School of Excellence in Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism in South Africa,
  • and we sponsor a UNODC Mentor Programme on the same topic in the Mekong Region. 
  • Switzerland furthermore supports a new UN led initiative on effective counter-terrorism investigations and prosecutions while respecting human rights and the rule of law which reflects the Good Practices contained in the Rabat Memorandum,
  • and finally, as you may recall, in 2009, together with other States and the United Nations, Switzerland organized the first ever International Meeting of National Counter-Terrorism Focal Points. Together with the United Nations we are currently planning another counter-terrorism focal points meeting with a special focus on the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and regional cooperation. The meeting is to take place in Geneva next June. We look forward to draw on the GCTF’s experiences in countering violent extremism in this regard.

In all those areas we apply a multi-stakeholder approach. This brings me to the last point.

“Think global, act local.” This is true also in the fight against terrorism. The UN-Strategy and our counterterrorism programmes are, of course, designed globally. But to be successful, we eventually need to reach out to each individual. Partnership with organizations and institutions operating at the grass root level is therefore critical. Civil society organizations can play a significant multiplier role in advancing global counter-terrorism objectives, particularly on issues of prevention. In our view therefore, the GCTF should reach out and involve them even more in the implementation of its activities.

I would like to confirm the continuing commitment of Switzerland to our common cause.

Thank you.


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