International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism – 12 February
By Andrea Pantazi / GICJ
Introduction
Violent extremism does not emerge in a vacuum; it grows where injustice, exclusion, and unresolved grievances persist. Recognising the urgent need to address these underlying conditions, the United Nations General Assembly established the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism, observed annually on 12 February. Adopted through General Assembly Resolution 77/243, thise International Day seeks to raise awareness of the complex drivers of violent extremism and to promote coordinated, preventive action grounded in international cooperation, sustainable development, and respect for human rights.
The observance underscores a critical shift in global counter-terrorism discourse: from reactive security-based responses toward proactive strategies that address the social, political, and economic factors that make individuals and communities vulnerable to radicalisation. This International Day highlights that preventing violent extremism is not only a security imperative, but also a human rights obligation.
Understanding Violent Extremism and Its Global Impact
Violent extremism, when conducive to terrorism, poses a direct threat to international peace and security, undermines democratic institutions, and results in widespread human rights violations. While extremist violence manifests differently across regions, its root causes often share common characteristics, including political marginalisation, socioeconomic inequality, weak governance, discrimination, and prolonged conflict. These conditions create environments in which extremist ideologies can flourish, exploiting grievances and fostering narratives that legitimise violence.
Importantly, the United Nations has consistently emphasised that violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, ethnic group, or civilisation [1]. Such associations risk reinforcing stereotypes, fuelling discrimination, and exacerbating the very conditions that extremist groups exploit. Effective prevention therefore requires nuanced, context-specific approaches that recognise the diversity of pathways to radicalisation while upholding universal human rights principles.
Although the International Day does not prescribe a single annual theme, its core focus remains the prevention of violent extremism through addressing root causes rather than symptoms [2]. This preventive approach recognises that militarised or purely securitised responses, when implemented without safeguards, risk exacerbating grievances, eroding trust in institutions, and infringing upon fundamental rights.
The United Nations therefore promotes a “whole-of-society” approach that brings together governments, civil society, educators, religious leaders, media actors, and local communities. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the youth, who are often disproportionately affected by both violent extremism and heavy-handed counter-terrorism measures. By investing in education, civic participation, and economic opportunity, preventive strategies aim to reduce vulnerability to extremist recruitment while strengthening social cohesion [3] .
Case Study - Tillabéri Region, Niger
The situation in Niger’s Tillabéri region illustrates how violent extremism thrives where governance and protection fail. In 2024 and early 2025, the region experienced a sharp rise in attacks by the Islamic State Sahel Province, with civilians increasingly targeted [7]. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, Tillabéri recorded some of the highest civilian fatality rates in the central Sahel, driven by village raids, ambushes, and mass killings [8]. One such attack in Manda village resulted in the killing of dozens of civilians, highlighting the vulnerability of communities in areas with limited state presence [9]. At the same time, counter-terrorism operations conducted without adequate civilian protection and accountability have contributed to displacement and distrust toward authorities [10]. This context demonstrates how neglecting prevention, human rights, and community engagement can deepen grievances and strengthen extremist narratives.
Ongoing UN Action
The International Day is firmly rooted in the broader UN counter-terrorism architecture. Central to this framework is the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, first adopted in 2006, which outlines a comprehensive approach based on four pillars: addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, preventing and combating terrorism, building States’ capacity, and ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Complementing this strategy is the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, launched in 2016, which calls on Member States to move beyond narrow security responses and invest in long-term prevention [4] . The Plan highlights the importance of inclusive governance, youth empowerment, gender equality, education, and community resilience as essential components of effective prevention strategies. Together, these instruments affirm that countering violent extremism and protecting human rights are mutually reinforcing objectives.
Some examples of ongoing UN action include, UN entities working with Member States to develop national and regional prevention strategies aligned with international law, focusing on education reform, youth engagement, gender-responsive programming, and the promotion of social inclusion [4] . The UN also supports research and data collection to better understand drivers of radicalisation, including the growing role of online platforms in disseminating extremist content [5][6] .
In addition, the UN consistently stresses that counter-terrorism measures must comply with international human rights law, refugee law, and humanitarian law. The work of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism has been particularly influential in highlighting how abusive practices, such as arbitrary detention or discriminatory profiling, can undermine prevention efforts and weaken public trust.
Respect for human rights lies at the heart of effective prevention. Conversely, systemic discrimination, repression, and impunity create environments in which extremist groups can claim legitimacy.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) believes that preventing violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism requires a holistic, human rights-based approach that addresses root causes such as inequality, marginalisation, and lack of accountability, while firmly rejecting securitised measures that undermine fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. GICJ reaffirms that sustainable prevention can only be achieved through inclusive governance, respect for human dignity, and international cooperation grounded in justice and human rights.
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Works Cited
[1] https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g15/232/04/pdf/g1523204.pdf
[2] https://www.un.org/en/observances/prevention-extremism-when-conducive-terrorism-day
[3] https://www.un.org/en/observances/prevention-extremism-when-conducive-terrorism-day
[4] https://www.un.org/counterterrorism/en/plan-of-action-to-prevent-violent-extremism
[5] https://www.un.org/counterterrorism/en/preventing-violent-extremism
[6] https://www.undp.org/publications/pilots-toward-policies-utilizing-online-data-preventing-violent-extremism-and-addressing-hate-speech
[7]https://www.bssnews.net/international/310327
[8] https://acleddata.com/update/africa-overview-january-2026
