The OSCE’s efforts to counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism: A comprehensive approach addressing root causes?

One of the key paradigms behind the OSCE's efforts to promote security and cooperation in Europe is the comprehensive approach. This article looks into the OSCE's approach in the field of countering violent extremism and radicalisation that lead to terrorism (VERLT). It provides an overview of the growing attention to these phenomena within the OSCE and the ways in which its activities and approaches have been developed. The paper investigates the extent of the Organisation's self-claimed comprehensive approach to preventing and combating terrorism, using the framework of causes of terrorism provided by Tore Bjorgo et al. The authors show the OSCE's VERLT approach focuses specifically on root causes such as 'lack of democracy, civil liberties and the rule of law', 'extremist ideologies', and 'the experience of discrimination on the basis of ethnic or religious origin'. Additionally, the OSCE, through its general work on the three dimensions of security, also addresses sometimes indirectly -- many other root causes, such as 'historical antecedents of political violence, civil wars, revolutions, dictatorships or occupation'. Bakker and Kessels conclude that it is safe to say that regarding counter-terrorism and radicalisation, the OSCE lives up to its concept of common and comprehensive security. The Organisation provides a much needed platform for a wide range of actors to cooperate and/or learn from each other, although challenges remain in the actual implementation of the VERLT strategy. Adapted from the source document.