At the security environment, change is constant. We find the recommendations of this Committee extremely helpful in order to be prepared for the emerging threats and trends, said Maria Ohisalo, Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Finland, during a briefing to the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) about the steps Finland has taken in implementing the CTC’s visit recommendations, as well as Security Council resolutions 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017) and other relevant Council resolutions.
From 9 – 11 April 2019, the Counter-Terrorism Committee/Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), conducted a visit to the Republic of Finland in follow-up to the Committee’s initial visit of June 2012. During the visit, which was led by Assistant Secretary-General Miche?le Coninsx, Executive Director of CTED, the human rights aspects of Finland’s counter-terrorism measures and the roles of women in countering terrorism and violent extremism were also raised during the discussions, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2242 (2015).
“Follow-up to the Committee’s assessment visits is one of the priorities of our constructive dialogue with Member States. It ensures transparency, proactive engagement, and recognition of Member States’ efforts in implementing the agreed upon outcomes of the assessment visit report in light of the Security Council resolutions,” stated H.E. Mr. Tarek Ladeb, Chair of the CTC.
The briefing to the CTC on 5 November 2020, included representatives from Finland’s National Police Board and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where Finland discussed the evolving threat posed by individuals and groups motivated by extreme right-wing ideologies, engaging civil society actors in the development of its national counter-terrorism strategy and continuing the same engagement with its national plans for countering violent extremism (CVE), and the gender dimensions of many counter-terrorism and CVE issues including the challenges posed by returning foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) and family members and the need to develop comprehensive strategies for their prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration. “Finland replied positively to the UN’s request to make the CTC report publicly available. We hope that other Member States are willing to do the same too,” said Ms. Ohisalo.
ASG Coninsx praised Finland’s cooperation and efforts. "This continues what has been a period of n between Finland, the Committee, and CTED. During the April 2019 assessment visit and then subsequently, in agreeing for its adopted visit report to be shared with CTED's UN partners in line with resolution 2395 (2017), and in providing in September this year a detailed report on steps taken to implement the Committee's recommendations, Finland has shown real commitment to engaging with the Committee and CTED,” said ASG Coninsx.