Mr. President,

As a main sponsor of the resolution 30/15, Turkey welcomes the distinguished panellists and thanks them for their insightful presentations.

Violent extremism in all forms is a growing source of concern on a global scale. In this regard, there is no doubt that law enforcement and security measures strictly based on the rule of


law remain effective tools. However, a broader vision is needed to make our societies more resilient against extremist narratives. A comprehensive strategy should involve a “whole-of-society” as well as a “whole-of-government” approach.

Turkey warmly welcomes the Plan of Action of the Secretary General on CVE. We fully agree that the UN has a crucial role to play in setting the basic principles, and assisting member states in their own national CVE efforts.

We are convinced that there is no one-size-fits-all approach in preventing extremism. Turkey’s experience revealed that enhancing fundamental rights and freedoms; reforming law enforcement and judiciary as well as promoting a lively public debate have a direct impact in successful results.

Accordingly, Turkey’s CVE work is geared towards identifying the main drivers of radicalization; preventing individuals and communities from the propaganda of violent extremist groups; intervening against recruitment efforts of terrorist organizations; and rehabilitation of convicted individuals.

Turkey’s policies are composed mainly of soft tools such as community-policing, family support, religious counseling, educational and employment incentives and development policies, with particular emphasis on vulnerable segments of the society.

While we interrupt networks and make it harder and more costly to join terrorist groups, we try to understand how individuals from apparently different socio-economic backgrounds fall prey to propaganda, becoming potential killers or servants of a false utopia. We focus on reaching out to families without making them targets. We try to promote role models that found their own exit gate to a promising life from tough neighborhoods.

Turkey is adamant that the human rights dimensions of preventing and countering violent extremism should remain on the agenda of the Council and of the UN in general.

I thank you Mr. President.