A/RES/70/109
A world against violence and violent extremism
Underlining that all Member States have undertaken to refrain in their
international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity
or political independence of any State or in any other manner inconsistent with the
purposes of the United Nations,
Alarmed by the acts of intolerance, violent extremism, violence, including
sectarian violence, and terrorism in various parts of the world, which claim innocent
lives, cause destruction and displace people, and rejecting the use of violence,
regardless of any motivation,
Reaffirming the commitment made by all States under the Charter to promote
and encourage universal respect for and observance of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms without distinction, and reaffirming also that States are under
the obligation to protect and respect all human rights and fundamental freedoms of
all persons,
Convinced that wars and armed conflicts can lead to radicalization and the
spread of violent extremism and disrupt development of human societies and thwart
the well-being of humankind,
Recognizing that a primary responsibility of each State is to ensure a peaceful
and violence-free life for its people, while fully respecting their human rights
without distinction of any kind, to live together in peace with its neighbours, in full
respect for political independence and the principle of sovereign equality of others,
and to help to maintain international peace and security,
Recalling that, as affirmed in the Preamble to the Charter, the practice of
tolerance is one of the principles to be applied to attain the ends pursued by the
United Nations of preventing war and maintaining peace, and convinced that the
respect for and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all
persons, as well as tolerance, the recognition and appreciation of others and the
ability to live together with and to listen to others, form a sound foundation of any
society and of peace,
Welcoming the efforts made by the Secretary-General and his High
Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations to promote greater understanding
and respect among civilizations, cultures and religions,
Reaffirming that violent extremism constitutes a serious common concern for
all Member States, threatening the security and well-being of human societies, and
convinced that there is no justification for violent extremism, whatever the
motivation,
Recognizing the need for a comprehensive approach to preventing and
countering violent extremism and to addressing the conditions conducive to its
spread, and encouraged by increasing awareness in this regard,
Stressing that States must ensure that any measure taken to combat violent
extremism complies with their obligations under international law, in particular
international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, and underscoring that
counter-terrorism measures and the protection of human rights, fundamental
freedoms and the rule of law are not conflicting goals, but complementary and
mutually reinforcing, and are an essential part of a successful effort to counter
violent extremism,
Recognizing the commitment of all religions to peace, determined to condemn
violent extremism, which spreads hate and threatens lives, and reaffirming that
violent extremism, in all its forms and manifestations, cannot and should not be
associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group,
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