About one hundred scientists, government representatives, peace organisations and politicians are gathered in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to discuss about Human Rights and the Prevention of Violent Extremism.

The host of this human rights seminar is the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), headquartered in Singapore. PGA Board Member and Convenor of the International Law and Human Rights Program Barbara Lochbihler MEP (Germany) will give the main address in of the Seminar, in which she will present the Milan Plan of Action on Preventing Violent Extremism and Mass Atrocities, which was adopted by the Parliamentarians for Global Action in Italy on 28 November 2017. This event is allowing policy-makers and researchers to learn about best practices and challenges relating to the threat posed by violent extremist groups. 

Less than one year ago, Parliamentarians from all regions of the world under the aegis of PGA met in Milan, Italy, and adopted an action plan that builds on the limited successes and addresses the enormous challenges faced by the International Community in preventing and countering violent extremism, which is often a driving factor for the commission of mass atrocities. Such atrocities are targeting segments of the civilian population in Africa, Asia and the Middle East and must be qualified as crimes against humanity, given that they entail widespread and systematic attacks against the most vulnerable, including minorities like the Yazidis in Northern Iraq, girls forced into sexual slavery and boys enslaved and exploited as suicide-fighters. The Milan Plan of Action recognizes the limits and failures of prevailing counter-terrorism policies in tackling this ideologically-motivated phenomenon.David Donat Cattin
Secretary-General, PGA

Across the world countries are struggling to find innovative strategies to better counter violent extremism, safeguard human rights and maintain social cohesion. Parliamentarians in particular have an extremely important role to play in ensuring governments identify pathways for prevention and use the tools at their disposal while respecting human rights and the rule of law. While every country is unique and different, at the same we time must recognise that violent extremism is a global problem, and therefore cooperation and sharing best practices is a necessity. One has to look no further than the siege of Marawi in the Philippines, captured under the banner of ISIS, to understand that this is not an issue confined to just Iraq and Syria. The Milan Forum provided an action plan and tool kits to guide parliamentarians. These are also equally applicable to government officials, academics, and members of civil society groups. I hope that those attending the ASEM Seminar on Human Rights will utilise the Milan Forum’s outcome documents to strengthen our collective approach to challenging extremists.Kyle Matthews
Executive Director
Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies

The provision and protection of human rights is fundamental to the prevention of atrocities and violent extremism and the promotion of more resilient societies. But human rights alone do not prevent violence. Strong institutions, equal access to opportunities and justice, transparency and accountability, are also crucial conditions governments must uphold to safeguard fundamental human rights and build resilience to the worst forms of violence. The Milan Plan of Action incorporates core principles of atrocity prevention and applies them to the practice of preventing violent extremism. The prevention approach addresses underlying risks that make both violent extremism and atrocities more likely; this is an important approach all governments should take when working to prevent violence and strengthen the social fabric of their nations.Jai-Ayla Quest
Program Officer, Mass Violence and Atrocities
The Stanley Foundation