Legal framework for countering violent extremist content online

Workshop

Through its Resolution 2129 (2013), the United Nations Security Council recognises the nexus between terrorism / violent extremism and ICT, especially internet, and directed the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate to address this issue in consultation with all stakeholders, including Governments, UN Agencies, private sector and civil society that all play an important role in preventing violent extremist content online.

The role of information and communication technology (ICT) and Internet in particular appear as key elements to disseminate violent narratives, radicalize, and plan violent extremist online activities. Thus, responding to alleged extremist content has become one of the most challenging issues to counter from a legal perspective. A challenge in this regard concerns the compatibility of the different measures with human rights and fundamental freedoms of the ICT use, in particular freedom of expression, a concern repeatedly expressed by different stakeholders.

The workshop aims to provide a better understanding of the normative framework and the diversity of legal dimensions through a multistakeholder approach, in addition to measures to counter violent extremist content online. The discussion will feature factual and legal background on ICT and violent extremism; international and regional legal frameworks regarding monitoring, and taking downs of violent extremist content online and its dynamics; in addition to practices and best practices in tackling violent extremist content online.

Participants will include academics, government officials, lawyers and experts, and other stakeholders interested in legal issues online.