Addressing the Conditions Conducive to FTF-related Activity and Perceived
Injustice
The importance of understanding and addressing “the conditions conducive to the
spread of terrorism” has been widely acknowledged.216 The mutually reinforcing relationship between effective long-term prevention of terrorism and respect for human
rights, development and rule of law, was reflected in the UN Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy and in many other contexts since, including the UN Secretary General’s Plan of
Action on PVE and OSCE commitments.217
The emphasis on the need to create economic, educational and employment opportunities, and to address underlying human rights problems, is supported by findings on
the motivating factors driving FTF flows outlined above. The various “push” and “pull”
factors that drive individuals towards FTF recruitment include social disadvantage,
poor educational and employment opportunities, and perceived injustice and a sense
of shared identity with groups affected by perceived injustice.218 Acknowledgement of
grievances, widespread disillusionment and meaningful engagement with affected individuals and groups have been identified as important aspects of comprehensive strategies to effectively prevent FTF-related travel and recourse to violence. Attention should
also be given to grievances and gender-specific conditions that are conducive to women
and girls joining terrorist and violent extremist groups.219
Acknowledgement and engagement with affected individuals and groups on such issues
may also prove critical to the effectiveness of more coercive responses, such as prosecutions, where appropriate. Genuine engagement with groups and affected individuals
can help law enforcement agencies to obtain evidence and facilitate access to suspects
and witnesses, thereby overcoming some of the obstacles that arise in the investigation
of terror-related crimes.
Disengagement, Rehabilitation and Reintegration
The focus on prevention is closely linked to the rehabilitation and reintegration of those
who have become involved in some way in FTF-related acts. Many individuals who travelled to conflict zones now seek to return to their home or other countries. As such,
there need to be effective screening and risk assessment processes in place for returnees, in light of the risk that some may pose a terrorist threat when they return to their
home countries. But the trend of people seeking to return also creates an opportunity for
effective programmes of reintegration.
216 UNSG Plan of Action on PVE, op. cit., note 206, and UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, op. cit., note
55.
217 “Ministerial Declaration on Reinforcing OSCE Efforts to Counter Terrorism in the Wake of Recent Terrorist
Attacks”, adopted by the OSCE Ministerial Council in Belgrade on 4 December 2015, MC.DOC/3/15.
218 UNOCT Report July 2017, op. cit., note 27.
219 F. Ní Aoláin and J. Huckerby, “Gendering Counter-terrorism: How to, and How not to – Part II”, Just Security,
3 May 2018, <www.justsecurity.org/55670/gendering-counterterrorism-to-part-ii/>, (hereafter, F. Ní Aoláin
and J. Huckerby, “Gendering Counter-terrorism: How to, and How not to – Part II”). The article was published in
two parts. The first part is available at: <www.justsecurity.org/55522/gendering-counterterrorism-to/>.
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Guidelines for Addressing the Threats and Challenges of “Foreign Terrorist Fighters”
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