UN activities to counter the spread of extremism

The article analyzes the current role of the United Nations in the fight against extremism. The author examines the UN legal framework for consolidating international efforts to counter the spread of extremist ideology, as well as the integrated efforts of the UN and its collaborating organizations to prevent extremism and prevent the emergence and strengthening of extremist beliefs. The purpose of the work is to identify and critically interpret the gaps and shortcomings of international regulation of the fight against extremism, as well as to develop proposals for improving international regulation within the UN in activities to counter this phenomenon. Attention is focused on the lack of a unified approach to the definition of the term “extremism” and the need to develop a generally accepted interpretation of this phenomenon among UN member states. The author comes to several conclusions. Firstly, it is necessary to adopt a basic regulatory document that would contain a generally accepted definition of the term “extremism” that would clearly separate it from the concept of “terrorism” and establish criteria for recognizing certain organizations as extremist ones. Secondly, it is important to establish a centralized system under the auspices of the UN for countering extremism, the core of which should be a specialized body for which combating extremist threats will be the main task. Thirdly, one of the key areas of countering extremism should be the formation of a secure information environment, which requires the adoption of a basic international document establishing general rules and recommendations for states to ensure the protection of their information space from unlawful attacks by extremist organizations and their information resources. Fourth, the development of a single conceptual approach to understanding the problems of extremism and the formation of a single mechanism to combat this threat should be based on accumulated international experience, including such interstate organizations as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

extremism, international cooperation, the United Nations, countering extremism, terrorism