Spain at forefront in applying measures contained in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178

The Summit was attended by representatives from 69 countries and 10 international organisations, as well as from civil society and the private sector to try to drive through measures in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism as provided for in Resolution 2178 of the United Nations Security Council. One of the aims of this international summit is to seek the measures and best practices adopted by partner countries in tackling these two phenomena in a global and comprehensive fashion.

The participants at this international summit have adopted a joint "Washington Declaration", in which they have declared their firm commitment to countering violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations that lead to terrorism: ideology, radicalisation and the recruitment of vulnerable young people and women. In this regard, the countries participating at this international forum underlined that the exchange of intelligence and military force is not enough to resolve the problem of violent extremism that radicalises, recruits and mobilises potential terrorists, particularly young people, but rather it is essential to design comprehensive strategies to combat this violent phenomenon in all its manifestations.

The "Washington Declaration" also includes fostering local investigations and the exchange of information on factors that drive extremism and violent radicalisation, strengthening the role of civil society, above all the role played by young people and women in the fight against violent radicalisation and its prevention. Another of the points adopted in this declaration is that of strengthening relations between citizens and the security forces as an element to counteracting and preventing the expansion of violent extremism.

The use of strategic communications including the media to counteract messages disseminated by violent extremist groups and the creation of an international movement that offers positive alternative paths for vulnerable groups (young people and women) were also analysed. An agreement was also reached to enhance the role played by authoritative religious leaders and in fostering educational initiatives with the aim of creating resistance to recruitment by radicals and preventing radicalisation that may take place inside prisons, through the rehabilitation and reintegration of violent extremists.

Another of the main elements of this joint declaration is the search and financing of political and economic opportunities for those communities that are particularly susceptible to radicalisation and recruitment that leads to violence and analysing those ways to better orientate aid initiatives that foster development and stability, by applying them to communities and regions that run the risk of being recruited by radical and violent groups.

In his speech, the Spanish Minister for Home Affairs, Jorge Fernández Díaz, asserted that "terrorism is the main threat we are currently facing; it is not a passing threat", and underlined that "our efforts must be sustained and long term". Jorge Fernández Díaz explained that Spain's experience in the fight against terrorism "has shown us that it is possible to defeat terrorism and radicalisation, but that this requires a firm political and social commitment, decisive and constant policing and judicial action, and close international cooperation".

The Spanish Minister for Home Affairs specified at the International Summit on Countering Violent Extremism that Spain has adopted a raft of legislative and administrative measures and recalled that on 2 February, the President of the Government of Spain and the leader of the main opposition party signed a State Pact to Fight International Terrorism which includes reforming the Criminal Code and establishing new terrorist offences.

Jorge Fernández Díaz pointed out that one of the main measures adopted by Spain is the creation of the National Security Council, whose function is to oversee compliance with the National Security Strategy. The minister also recalled that Spain ratified the Comprehensive Strategy against International Terrorism and Radicalisation, and, on 30 January, the Council of Ministers approved the National Strategic Plan to Fight Violent Radicalisation (Spanish acronym: PEN-LCRV) and has developed a specific programme to prevent radicalisation in penitentiary centres, which the minister proposed to the participant countries at the international summit as an example of best practices. "Spain has already adopted a raft of measures that are in line with the recommendations contained in Resolution 2178 of the United Nations Security Council", highlighted the Minister for Home Affairs.

At a more operational level, the Minister for Home Affairs, Jorge Fernández Díaz, pointed out to the representatives and participants at this international summit that Spain has carried out a total of 109 international counter-terrorism operations since 2004 with a total count of 526 detainees.

Jorge Fernández Díaz considered that it is necessary to push through common measures at an international level. In this regard, the Minister for Home Affairs indicated that at a European Union level and in its implementation of Resolution 2178, Spain supports the measures established to set up a European PNR (Passenger Name Record), carrying out cross-border checks on terrorist movements and the systematic verification of data bases. In terms of the Internet, Jorge Fernández Díaz underlined the need to seek common solutions to put a stop to its use for radicalisation with terrorist aims as well as the need to step up judicial cooperation.

In his speech, the Minister for Home Affairs offered a series of additional measures that he considered to be of interest for open debate at this international summit, such as the suitability of homogenising terrorist alert levels, updating legislation to include new terrorism offences such as passive training, strengthening judicial cooperation and asserting greater control on trafficking arms and explosives.

The Minister for Home Affairs, Jorge Fernández Díaz, highlighted the role played by victims of terrorism in counteracting the terrorist phenomenon and underlined the need to promote international solidarity in support of victims in order for them to be treated with dignity and respect instead of their intentional de-legitimisation by their perpetrators. Jorge Fernández Díaz referred to the victims of terrorism as an ethical and moral example and considered them to be key in preventing violent radicalisation that leads to membership of terrorist groups and the commission of attacks.

Finally, Jorge Fernández Díaz declared to the attendees of this summit Spain's firm commitment to the aims of Resolution 2178 of the United Nations Security Council and offered Spain's collaboration to all those countries present at this international forum as well as its support for the Washington Declaration. "The threat of terrorism and radicalisation - the greatest threat to our countries - obliges us to carry out constant, joint and decisive actions to counteract this serious challenge. You can count on Spain's collaboration in this common project", concluded the minister.