UNODC partners up with SEARCCT to conduct a research on radicalisation that may lead to terrorism in three Southeast Asian countries



Bangkok (Thailand), 15 December 2014
- UNODC and the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter Terrorism (SEARCCT) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia have launched a joint research project on radicalisation and violent extremism in Southeast Asia, with the aim of contributing to de- and counter radicalisation efforts in the region.

The research, led by SEARCCT's Research and Publication Division, will examine the radicalisation processes and motivational factors of extremists in three different SEA countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Utilising qualitative methods via roundtable discussions and focus group interviews of experts, the research will seek to understand the concept of radicalisation, identify the mode of radicalisation is taking place and in particular its 'drivers' and 'trigger points'. Outcomes of the research will also include recommendations on how to prevent people from being radicalised and disengage extremists already involved in violence.

The roundtable discussions and focus group interviews were already completed in all three countries. The events and bilateral meetings, attended by a wide array of government officials, academics, civil society representatives and counter-terrorism experts, generated informative exchanges on various aspects of violent extremism including how to identify radical pathways and trigger factors, disengagement process in extremism and different rehabilitation strategies.

The research project is carried out under the framework of the European Union - UNODC Joint Initiative for Supporting Southeast Asian Countries to Counter Terrorism. Its overall objective is to deepen regional trend analysis on radicalisation, provide policy recommendations and promote advocacy and awareness on de- and counter- radicalisation in the region. The research outcomes will be disseminated to senior policy makers trough a regional seminar to be held in the first quarter of 2015, with the aim of supporting their analysis and policy development on de- and counter- radicalisation in Southeast Asia.