Violent extremism runs contrary to the core values of the United Nations and poses a grave threat to international peace, human rights, and sustainable development. The evolving threat of violent extremism conducive to terrorism looms large in many regions across the world, including South Asia. In recent years, Maldives has also experienced growing concerns related to radicalization to violent extremism. With limited prospects for employment and education, youth remain particularly vulnerable to recruitment by criminal groups and violent extremist and terrorist organizations.
The complexity of these challenges calls for a multi-faceted and comprehensive preventive approach, including to rehabilitation and reintegration (R&R) of former violent extremist offenders, as well as returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters and their accompanying family members.
In this context, adopting strategies that embrace a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach is crucial in the national framework of preventing violent extremism (PVE) and providing R&R assistance.
The Eighth Review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted in June 2023 also noted that national PVE strategies can be more effective “when efforts at the subnational and community levels are involved to allow for impactful locally initiated, locally championed and locally owned solutions which enable inclusive, sustainable and community-led measures” in line with local needs. Relatedly, it also highlighted the critical role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in working with affected individuals and communities.
UNODC has been supporting Maldives’ efforts to promote a whole-of-society approach in implementing its national action plan since its endorsement in 2020. Currently, the Office is providing technical assistance to Maldives under the framework of a national project entitled “Project for Enhancement of Ability in Maritime Safety and Security” funded by the Government of Japan. The initiative aims to facilitate engagement and the building of long-term trust-based partnerships between practitioners, CSOs, and local communities.
On 21-23 November 2023, within the framework of this project, UNODC, in cooperation with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) of Maldives, delivered a national workshop on effective multi-disciplinary and community-based R&R strategies in Male.
The three-day event brought together over 40 representatives from law enforcement and criminal justice authorities, ministries of youth, sports and community empowerment, gender, family and social services, education, Islamic affairs, local government, Human Rights Commission, universities, and CSOs. The workshop provided a platform for participants to explore practical ways of facilitating multi-agency and multidisciplinary coordination, engaging and building long-term trust-based partnerships with CSOs and local communities for sustainable PVE and R&R interventions by applying and enhancing age-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches, and promoting empowerment of local communities in the reintegration efforts. A key focus was placed on the way forward as a round-table discussion unfolded, centering on finding tailored solutions for the challenges raised during the discussions, as well as the need for long term community-based R&R strategies.
Collaboration with local stakeholders and identification of additional technical assistance needs signal a continued commitment to advancing regional efforts in PVE in South Asia. The outcomes of the workshop will not only guide future activities in the Maldives but also contribute to the broader discourse on effective PVE strategies in South Asia.
This workshop, which contributed towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals 16 and 17, was made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Japan.
