United Arab Emirates Hosts World Center to Fight Extremism

Deputy Secretary William Burns, front left, U.S. Ambassador Michael Corbin, center second row, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, front right, at the Global Counterterrorism Forum.

Washington — The United Arab Emirates, with the backing of the United States, has launched the first international institution aimed at countering violent extremism.

Deputy Secretary of State William Burns said at the launch ceremony in Abu Dhabi December 14 that the International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism will fight extremism by fostering opportunity, promoting tolerance and reaching out to people who have been victims of terrorism.

“We all know that repressive approaches often fuel the very radicalization they seek to fight,” Burns said. “We need to build governments’ capacities to take on threats within their societies through approaches grounded in the rule of law and respect for human rights — by reforming law enforcement and criminal justice systems, engaging with local communities and empowering civil society.”

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, “Extremism is the opposite of tolerance, which is embraced by the UAE as one of its key values. It is an honor for the UAE to coordinate efforts with the international community to eliminate terrorist and extremist threats in the world.”

In 2013, the United States will sponsor a second facility aimed at countering terrorism, the International Institute of Justice and the Rule of Law, in Tunis, Tunisia. Burns said the institute in Tunis will help investigators, prosecutors and others develop rule-of-law tools to prevent and respond to terrorism.

“We hope these facilities will educate a new generation of criminal justice officials who will themselves go on to change mind-sets within their own institutions,” Burns said.

The deputy secretary said the world is at a pivotal point in the fight against terrorism. He said al-Qaida is finding it more difficult to raise money, train recruits and plan attacks outside the region. International pressure and national leadership have marginalized al-Qaida affiliates in Yemen and Somalia.

Despite those successes, terrorist groups are advancing their agendas in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa regions.

“For some time, al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb has launched attacks and kidnappings from northern Mali into neighboring countries. As violent extremists carve out a larger safe haven, they seek to extend their reach and networks in multiple directions,” Burns said.

The deputy secretary said the Sahel Working Group has brought together experts from across the region to focus on border security and improving criminal justice procedures.

While in the UAE, Burns helped launch a program to help victims of terrorism and offer the first set of international best practices aimed at ending kidnapping for ransom.