National Strategy for Preventing Violent Extremism 2018 Prime Minister’S Foreword 6 Preface 8
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National Strategy for PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM 2018 National Strategy for PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM 2018 4 National Strategy for Preventing Violent Strategy Extremism National TABLE of CONTENTS 2018 Prime Minister’s Foreword 6 Preface 8 first | Strategic Key Positions: 10 1. Background on the Reality of Violent Extremism in Lebanon 11 2. Risks of Violent Extremism 11 3. The Strategy’s Rationale 12 4. Strategy Development Process 12 5. Basic Definitions 14 6. The General Framework 14 7. Strategy Standards 15 8. General Objectives 16 second | Strategic Pillars: 18 Pillar 1 - Dialogue and Conflict Prevention 20 Pillar 2 - The Promotion of Good Governance 24 Pillar 3 - Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law 30 Pillar 4 - Urban/Rural Development and Engaging 38 Local Communities Pillar 5 - Gender Equality and Empowering Women 44 Pillar 6 - Education, Training and Skills Development 48 Pillar 7 - Economic Development and Job Creation 56 Pillar 8 - Strategic Communications, Informatics and Social Media 64 Pillar 9 - Empowering Youth 72 third | Conclusion 78 Annex A | Decrees of the Council of Ministers 80 6 Prime Minister’s Foreword Prime Minister’s PRIME MINISTER’S FOREWORD 7 Prime Foreword Minister’s The Lebanese people have shown a high degree of national and social cohesion and solidarity, as they have rallied around their national state and its executive, legislative and judicial institutions to counter violent extremism which targets social peace and socioeconomic stability. The Government has entrusted an all- ministry national committee with developing a national and scientifically-based strategy in accordance with international standards to prevent violent extremism; and based on the premise that social cohesion and order within the framework of a modern, strong and just national state are the main deterrents to violent extremism. Furthermore, a national definition of violent extremism that is inspired by the characteristics of the Lebanese reality has been developed and helps to further understand the role of and need for a national state. The Government considers the unanimous adoption of the national strategy, at the Cabinet meeting on 27 March 2018 at Baabda Palace, a national achievement that reflects the will of the Lebanese people to protect their national unity and social and economic cohesion against the threats and risks of violent extremism. The Government highly values the cooperation that culminated in the production of this strategy, including with the Office of the Resident Representative of the Secretary- General of the United Nations, the Swiss Government, the National Initiative for the Centennial of Greater Lebanon and the international entities and institutions that have expressed their readiness to cooperate in the implementation of the strategy and the achievement of its national objectives. Saad Hariri President of the Council of Ministers 8 Preface PREFACE 9 Preface This document presents the National Strategy for Preventing Violent Extremism. It provides a general background of the reality of violent extremism in the Lebanese Republic, the rationale behind the development of this strategy and the steps that were taken to formulate it. It then outlines the key governmental positions adopted by the strategy, its general framework and the definitions of violent extremism and prevention, in addition to the standards that have been taken into consideration when developing it. Finally, the document introduces the nine pillars and areas of activity for the strategy that have been agreed upon by the ministries. 10 Strategic Key Positions Key Strategic first STRATEGIC KEY POSITIONS 11 Strategic Key Positions Key Strategic Background on the Reality of Violent Risks of Violent Extremism Extremism in Lebanon Violent extremism threatens society at Lebanon is living amidst a regional and all levels: international environment tormented by Firstly, it poses a threat to the human conflicts and intra-state wars that pose right to life, which is the first right the risk of national state collapse and guaranteed by the Universal Declaration the disintegration and dismantling of of Human Rights and related international societies, especially since the risks and treaties and is enshrined in Article (B) threats posed by such an environment of the preamble to the Constitution are likely to expand. Furthermore, the which states that "Lebanon is Arab in its government and population of Lebanon identity and affiliation. It is a founding seek to adopt policies and design and active member of the League of preventive plans and programs that would Arab States and abides by its pacts and prevent the spread of these negative covenants. Lebanon is also a founding effects, as they represent serious threats and active member of the United Nations to the unity of the social fabric and the Organization and abides by its covenants assurance of the continuity of national and by the Universal Declaration unity. of Human Rights. The Government embodies these principles in all rights and fields without exception". The experience of the civil war in Lebanon in the seventies and eighties, and the historic settlement through the National Secondly, it has implications for the Reconciliation Accord that ended the war future of the individuals within the and paved the way for a comprehensive society, turning them from equal and reconstruction process, are among the active citizens who bring their positive factors that stimulate the national action contributions into their communities necessary for disrupting an environment into tools to be exploited for violence and conducive to polarization and violent fighting. The risk increases further when extremism, and to support the values children, women and other vulnerable and of social cohesion and the peaceful disadvantaged groups are at risk of violent settlement of internal disputes. extremism. Thirdly, it lessens trust between individuals, between the components of society, and between individuals and State institutions. This is coupled with the prevalence of an unfavorable environment that cannot ensure the rule of law, economic development and social justice, as well as with a climate dominated by polarization and the absence of rationality when discussing national issues of concern to Lebanon. National Strategy for PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM 2018 12 Strategic Key Positions Key Strategic The Strategy’s Rationale in order to ensure the optimal utilization of Lebanese human capital and to make The prevention of violent extremism has the most of the creative human wealth become a global priority. It is constantly embodied in Lebanon’s social diversity. on the agenda of states and international and regional organizations as these have developed national strategies and regional Strategy Development Process policies to prevent extremism, as well as in the organization of conferences, The formulation of this strategy was symposia and workshops to enable states based on specific steps and measures to share their experiences with this issue. characterized by the presence of political will, access to and capitalization of international expertise in accordance with In this context, a number of states the specific realities of Lebanese society have developed integrated strategies to and with inputs and contribution of all prevent and counter violent extremism. ministries, as follows: The United Nations Secretary-General a. The Prime Minister issued a decision issued the United Nations Plan of on the establishment of an inter- Action to Prevent Violent Extremism ministerial working group at the level on 24 December 2015, and a number of of representatives and the appointment international and regional organizations of the National Coordinator for the have adopted this approach. Prevention of Violent Extremism. b. Two meetings were organized, Such action is particularly urgent in each of which included a number of Lebanon due to its strategic geographic representatives of the ministries in location, and its presence in a regional order to introduce them to the work environment where violent extremism plan and to survey their opinions and calls for the settlement of internal about it. conflicts through the use of violence are c. The National Coordinator presented proliferating. a theoretical framework that included a presentation of the literature on various definitions and concepts Moreover, this strategy is aimed at related to the prevention of violent maintaining security and social peace, extremism. This paper was presented emphasizing the responsibility of the state to the representatives of the ministries to adopt practical policies and safeguards, so that they could provide their and at allowing all components of opinions about its contents. Lebanese society to enjoy a better future. This will be done by preventing the d. Letters were sent to twenty-nine country from being adversely affected (29) ministries on 3 February 2017 by the negative repercussions of the requesting them to send a conceptual surrounding regional developments and paper containing each ministry’s by ensuring sustained economic growth regulatory decrees and their proposed and balanced regional development. policies and procedures to prevent These will be coupled with respect for the violent extremism. human rights of all Lebanese communities 13 Strategic Key Positions Key Strategic e. The ministries responded with their regulatory decrees constitute the papers between February and July 2017. governing framework for