THE ROLE OF OSCE IN COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM AND RADICALIZATION

Aleksei Teplov

Abstract

Numerous terrorist attacks, mass shootings, war crimes and less brutal instances of deviant behaviour such as commitment to radical Islamism or hatred against other nations often tend to be the manifestation of one of the last stages of radicalization. There is no single scenario, according to which radicalization proceeds. Absolutely different reasons can encourage a person to renounce normal values and accept the idea that the world can and should be fundamentally changed, sometimes even by force and violence. This is the main reason why OSCE adopted a “Whole-of-Society” approach to counter radicalization and its brutal results throughout the OSCE area. The adopted strategy is highly comprehensive and tackles not only different aspects of radicalization (e.g. gender, war, post-conflict, etc.) but also numerous institutions (e.g. families, churches, mosques, schools, scholars, etc.) that can detect and prevent radicalization of a person and integrate him or her back into the society. This article provides an analysis of OSCE efforts in this field by studying OSCE reports on extremism and radicalization and evaluating achieved outcomes. It finds out that despite being highly inclusive and all-pervasive with various successful instances in different regions, a bulk of member states do not have a platform that would facilitate communication between all actors involved to provide early warning and rehabilitate radicals. Efforts to develop a comprehensive framework are too costly, leading to limited projects and initiatives. Further research in finding the most efficient ways to implement OSCE ideas in the OSCE member states and beyond is required.

References

• Adler, Emanuel. 1998. “Seeds of Peaceful Change: The OSCE’s Security Community-BuildingModel.” Security Communities: 119–60. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511598661.004.
• Bakker, Edwin, and Kessels, Eelco. 2012. “The OSCE’s efforts to counter violent extremism andradicalization that lead to terrorism: A comprehensive approach addressing root causes?” Security and Human Rights 23 (2): 89–99. doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/18750230-90000004
• Bigo, Didier. 2008. “Globalised (In)Security: The Field and the Ban-Opticon.” In Terror,Insecurity and Liberty: Illiberal Practices of Liberal Regimes after 9/11, eds. Didier Bigo and AnastassiaTsoukala, 10–48. New York: Routledge.
• Bjørgo, Tore. 2016. “Counter-terrorism as crime prevention: a holistic approach.”BehavioralSciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression 8 (1): 25-44. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19434472.2015.1108352
• Doosje, Bertjan, Moghaddam,Fathali M., Kruglanski, Arie W., Wolf, Arjande, Mann, Liesbeth,Feddes, Allard R. 2016. “Terrorism, radicalization and de-radicalization.” Current Opinion in Psychology 11: 79-84. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.06.008
• Islam, Didarul. 2019. “De-radicalisation of Terrorists: Theoretical Analysis and Case Studies.”Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses 11 (5): 6-12.
• Maskaliūnaitė, Asta. 2015. “Exploring the Theories of Radicalization.” International Studies.Interdisciplinary Political and Cultural Journal 17 (1): 9-26. doi: https://doi.org/10.1515/ipcj-2015-0002
• Merriam-Webster. n.d.“Extremism Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster.” Merriam-Webster.Last accessed August 27, 2022. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremism
• Moghaddam, Fathali M. 2005. “The Staircase to Terrorism: A Psychological Exploration.”American Psychologist 60 (2): 161-169. doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.60.2.161
• Neumann, Peter R. 2008. “Introduction.” In Perspectives on Radicalisation and PoliticalViolence, eds. Peter R. Neumann, Jacob Stoil, Dina Esfandiary, 3-8. London: King’s College London.
• OSCE. 2014. Preventing Terrorism and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization thatLead to Terrorism: A Community-Policing Approach. Vienna: OSCE Secretariat.
• OSCE. 2019. Understanding Referral Mechanisms in Preventing and Countering ViolentExtremism and Radicalization That Lead to Terrorism. Vienna: OSCE Secretariat.
• OSCE. 2020a. A Whole-of-Society Approach to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremismand Radicalization That Lead to Terrorism. Vienna: OSCE Secretariat.
• OSCE. 2020b. Non-custodial Rehabilitation and Reintegration in Preventing and CounteringViolent Extremism and Radicalization That Lead to Terrorism. Vienna: OSCE Secretariat.
• OSCE. 2022. “Preventing violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism.” OSCE.Last accessed August 27, 2022. https://www.osce.org/secretariat/107807
• Reagan, Ronald. 1986. “Radio Address to the Nation on Terrorism.” Ronald ReaganPresidential Library and Museum. Last Accessed August 27, 2022.https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/radio-address-nation-terrorism
• Schmid, Alex P. 2011. “The Definition of Terrorism.” In The Routledge Handbook of TerrorismResearch, ed. Alex Schmid, 39-73. London: Routledge.