The OSCE Mission to BiH organized today in Sarajevo a closing ceremony to mark the successful completion of one of the OSCE's key projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina - the Tabletop Exercises on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization Leading to Terrorism (VERLT).
Over the course of the past two years, the OSCE Mission has conducted twelve Tabletop Exercises (TTX) that convened more than 500 participants from diverse backgrounds across the entire country. Employing a multi-disciplinary approach, the TTXs aimed to enhance the capacities of key stakeholders in the prevention and countering of violent extremism in BiH. The objectives were multifaceted, encompassing raising awareness of challenges associated with VERLT, the identification of actionable policy responses that comply with human rights standards, sharing best practices, and identifying opportunities for local and international collaboration.
"One of the strengths of the project lies in its broad scope. It delves deeper than violent extremism and radicalization rooted in religious motivations," said Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. "We explored themes related to foreign terrorist fighters and ethno-nationalism/right-wing extremism - phenomena that we need to address in today's complex world. Now, we all have to ensure that what the project has achieved will translate not only into strategy and policies, but also into practical changes that will improve the safety and security of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina."
This project was implemented in co-operation with the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) Government's Inter-sectoral Group for Prevention and Combatting Terrorism, and the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska, with financial support provided by the Governments of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Poland.
Ivana Veselčić, Assistant BiH Minister of Security, said: "BiH strategic and planning documents demonstrate continuity of commitment of the institutions BiH to prevent and combat terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, in line with the international commitments of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a member state of the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the Anti-Terrorism Coalition and a potential candidate for membership in the EU." Veselčić said that it is crucial to ensure dialogue between institutions at all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina, civil society, the media, and religious communities for the successful implementation of strategic documents aimed at preventing and combatting these phenomena.
"This project was instrumental in obtaining broad consultation within the country ahead of the development of the new BiH Strategy for Preventing and Combating Terrorism 2021-2026 and corresponding action plans. Projects of this nature contribute significantly to a deeper understanding of violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism, thereby enhancing the co-operation of all stakeholders engaged in implementing these critical policies," concluded the Head of Administration for Countering Terrorism and Extremism in the Ministry of the Interior Affairs of the Republic of Srpska, Nebojša Tonković.
