On 26 – 29 February, The IIJ was pleased to be part of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) – a platform for multilateral engagement to prevent and counter terrorism – 23rd Coordinating Committee Meeting graciously hosted in Nairobi, Kenya and co-chaired by Egypt and the European Union. The 4-day event gathered 32 GCTF members, the GCTF-Inspired Institutions – Hedaya and the Global Community Engagement & Resilience Fund (GCERF) – senior counterterrorism and criminal justice officials, human rights experts, civil society practitioners and leading think-tanks, along with key partners, and international organizations, to explore opportunities for joint action to counter and prevent terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism. The IIJ expressed gratitude to the European Union for the opportunity to participate in a session moderated by Ms. Fauziya Abdi Ali, President of Women in International Security (WIIS) Horn of Africa. The event gathered numerous representatives of civil society, many of whom had been involved in the IIJ’s CT PHARE Transregional Group Meeting on oversight and accountability mechanisms in counterterrorism.
The GCTF Transregional Group Meeting on Oversight and Accountability Mechanisms took place in Nairobi on 26 and 27 February 2024. It presented an opportunity to further consult on a set of recommendations aimed at developing a GCTF Framework Document on best practices regarding the role and responsibilities of oversight and accountability mechanisms in counterterrorism. It also created a space to discuss and familiarize the draft document with GCTF Members, showcasing the extensive consultation process involved in its development to the delegates. The development of the draft involved participants from previous regional workshops conducted by CT PHARE in 2023 across the MENA, West Africa, East Africa, and Southeast Asia Regions, as well as feedback and collaborations with an expert reference group. The IIJ, primarily focusing on the prosecution aspect of Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (PRR), emphasized the crucial interlinkages between all three elements. They highlighted the necessity of national coordination and international cooperation to effectively link prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration efforts in combating terrorism and violent extremism. As the only GCTF Inspired Institution mandated to support the implementation of GCTF Good Practices for criminal justice practitioners, the IIJ emphasized collaboration with other GCTF Inspired Institutions and UN agencies to enhance its impact. The IIJ’s efforts involve strengthening criminal justice systems, building regional networks of practitioners, and promoting justice, security, and human rights. Additionally, the IIJ focused on addressing the challenges related to returning foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) and their accompanying family members, including promoting international judicial cooperation and supporting appropriate rehabilitative and reintegration efforts. Furthermore, the IIJ advocated for improved accountability mechanisms to reduce the risks of terrorist recidivism, emphasizing the engagement of civil society organizations (CSOs) in supporting legal frameworks and monitoring mechanisms.
