Countering terrorism

Terrorism and violent extremism directly threaten the security of citizens living in the OSCE region and beyond and are a threat to international peace and stability. While the OSCE sees terrorism as a fundamental threat that seeks to undermine the very values that underpin our Organization and unite its participating States, we also recognize that measures to combat terrorism that violate human rights are counter-productive as they undermine the rule of law, reduce trust among societies and communities, and obstruct international counter-terrorism co-operation.

Our response to terrorism and violent extremism is to help implement the international legal framework against terrorism and the rule of law, prevent violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, counter the use of the internet for terrorist purposes, suppress the financing of terrorism, and help protect critical infrastructures and other vulnerable targets. While the OSCE is resolute in implementing effective measures to prevent and combat terrorism and violent extremism, the Organization unequivocally rejects the association of terrorism with any particular race, nationality or religion.

Our activities are guided by a series of decisions and declarations taken by the OSCE participating States, such as the OSCE Consolidated Framework for the Fight against Terrorism from 2012, which highlights operational principles and identifies the strategic focus of current and future OSCE counter-terrorism activities.

Our institutions and offices

The Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department is the lead office working on preventing and combating terrorism, with the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Representative on Freedom of the Media also active, within their mandates, on related issues. While the former helps participating States develop anti-terrorism laws and policies that are in line with international human rights standards, the latter monitors legislation that could limit press freedom and promotes responsible media reporting.