Qatar reiterates commitment to counter terrorism, violent extremism

The State of Qatar has reiterated its firm belief in the principles of pluralism, cooperation and dialogue, as the cornerstone of effective efforts to counter terrorism, and its commitment to play an effective and constructive role in global initiatives aimed at countering terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations.This came in the opening statement of the State of Qatar, delivered by HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, who chaired of the first session titled '' Multistakeholder Engagement in Countering Terrorism while Ensuring Compliance with Human Rights and the Rule of Law,'' during the Third High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States.HE Sheikha Alya expressed her appreciation to the conference organizers for placing multi-stakeholder participation in countering terrorism and human rights at the forefront of their deliberations, affirming her gratitude for the opportunity to co-moderate this session with UN Assistant Secretary-General Brands Kehris.She pointed out that terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to international peace, security and development, adding that it is a challenge that knows no borders and requires a comprehensive and concerted response.She called for the commitment to combating this danger to be rooted in firm adherence to the principles enshrined in international law, particularly international human rights law and the rule of law.In this context, HE Sheikha Alya added that the spread of terrorism still poses a serious threat to international peace and security and leads to loss of life, hinders common development gains, and undermines security and progress.She noted that the evidence shows that the path to terrorism and violent extremism is shaped by the lack of participation, the erosion of civil liberties, and ignoring human rights, adding that terrorism also thrives in an environment of conflict and the deeply fractured community.HE Sheikha Alya stressed that engagement with many stakeholders is crucial when striving to counter terrorism, noting that governments, civil society, international organizations and the private sector play indispensable roles in this regard. She stressed that through a comprehensive approach, effective and successful strategies can be implemented that achieve the delicate balance between security necessities and the protection of human rights.HE Sheikha Alya affirmed her confidence that the members of the committee and the distinguished participants gathered will share a lot of knowledge, experience and diverse points of view during this meeting, urging to seize this moment to collectively contribute to the discourse and chart the way forward in the collective fight against terrorism.