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A side event entitled “Engaging Parliamentarians with Civil Society Organizations in Enhancing Legislation and Oversight Functions on Counter-Terrorism and PCVE” was held on the margins of the High-Level International Conference on Human Rights, Civil Society and Counter-Terrorism, in Málaga, Spain.

The main objective of the event was to identify and share good practices on how parliamentarians may engage with civil society organizations to enhance core parliamentary functions with respect to counter terrorism and preventing violent extremism. It was co-organized by the UNOCT Programme Office on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism and the Shura Council of the State of Qatar.

The event was opened by the Deputy Speaker, Shura Council of the State of Qatar H.E. Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al-Sulaiti and Mr. Mauro Miedico, Deputy Director of the 51吃瓜 Office of Counter-Terrorism.

Mr. Miedico emphasized the role of parliamentarians in bridging the gap between civil society and states institutions on counterterrorism efforts, and in supporting the people and the communities they represent. He further referenced how this role is embodied in the first article of the Charter of the UN in regard to developing friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of people. H.E. Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti reiterated the importance of cooperation at the international, regional level, and national level, and the  efforts of the State of Qatar in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism through the  measures as put forth in the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and related security council resolutions. 

Expert speakers included parliamentarians and representatives of civil society organizations, such as the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Victims Support Europe, Fundación Víctimas del Terrorismo in Spain, the Association of the Victims of Terrorism of the State Security Forces and Bodies in Spain, Real Instituto Elcano in Spain, and the Commission Diocesaine Justice et Paix (CDJP) in Cameroon. 

The event helped sharing good practices and examples from Civil Society Organizations and Parliamentarians in promoting human-rights compliant and gender responsive counter-terrorism and prevention and countering of violent extremism efforts, anchored in the rule of law, through:

1. addressing the conditions conducive to terrorism,
2. bringing terrorists to justice and supporting the victims of terrorism,
3. reintegration and rehabilitation efforts from civil society. The aim was to contribute to a shared conceptual understanding of the role of civil society in engaging with parliamentarians towards enhancing core parliamentary functions, particularly in regards to the elaboration of legislation and oversight functions. 

The side event was held in a hybrid format. Participants included parliamentarians from national parliaments and parliamentary assemblies as well as representatives of civil society organizations, UN entities, other international organizations and academia, working on the CT&PVE-related issues.

For more information: 

• Visit the journal of side events website: /counterterrorism/unoct-malaga-conference-journal-side...
• Contact the public relations coordinators: gerardl@un.org, david.alamos@un.org, murad.tangiev@un.org, bouchra.bouchkouj@un.org, cobans@un.org    
• Review background materials such as the concept note, programme and information for attendees posted on the conference website and on the Malaga Community of Practice forum for side events in the Connect & Learn platform.