Chen Weixiong, deputy director of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, is interviewed with Xinhua at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 25, 2017. To effectively curb terrorist attacks which have been on the rise, it is critical for countries to work out ways to prevent the online spread of violent extremism, said Chen Weixiong. (Xinhua/Shi Xiaomeng)
UNITED NATIONS, May 27 (Xinhua) -- To effectively curb terrorist attacks which have been on the rise, it is critical for countries to work out ways to prevent the online spread of violent extremism, said a UN official.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, Chen Weixiong, deputy director of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, said that the Internet along with other communication technologies has become a major channel for terrorist groups to spread its violent extremist views.
"With its propaganda of these ideas, the terrorist groups recruit and train terrorists via the Internet and social media," Chen noted.
Violent extremism refers to the beliefs of people who support the use of violence to achieve radical goals. Chen said the process of being brainwashed by these ideas is covert and difficult to monitor.
Therefore, he appealed that countries should take proactive measures to stop the violent extremism from spreading both online and offline.
Earlier this week, the UN Security Council endorsed a document which demands more joint efforts to fight terrorist propaganda through educational and media programs.
It also calls on youth, women and religious leaders to do their parts in the campaigns of fighting violent extremism and to promote dialogues and understanding among different groups in societies.
Terrorism has become a grave threat to the international security. This week alone, the world has witnessed several terrorist attacks in United Kingdom, Egypt and Mali.
Chen said as countries have taken actions to fight terrorism, the situation various from country to country and needs to be tackled correspondingly.
"In some regions in Africa, persuasion and instruction sessions conducted by tribal leaders may be effective to curb violent extremism, while in developed countries, focus should be given to online spread of the ideology," said Chen.
"It would be a chronicle battle," Chen said, "and we have to be prepared, not only to make sure every detail is dealt with properly, but also to keep the momentum for a long time."
