Member States in South and South-East Asia are facing challenges related to returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters (R(FTFs)) and their radicalization to violence.
United Nations Security Council resolutions 2178 (2014) and 2396 (2017) and the Seventh Review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/RES/75/291) called upon Member States to cooperate to address the threat posed by FTFs, including by developing and implementing gender and age-sensitive prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration strategies for RFTFs and their families.
Against this backdrop, UNODC partnered with the Government of Singapore to deliver a cross-regional workshop on developing and implementing comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration (R&R) strategies and a study visit to promote peer learning of Singapore’s R&R practices on 31 January-2 February 2023.
The workshop contributed to enhancing the capacities of over 35 criminal justice and law enforcement officials and PVE practitioners from Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, the Philippines and Singapore, to develop and implement effective gender- and age-sensitive R&R strategies by applying a holistic multi-agency approach. It also provided a platform for participants to discuss challenges and exchange knowledge in ensuring sustainability of R&R interventions that build communities’ resilience and social cohesion.
These discussions were especially important as multi-disciplinary approaches to R&R provides the greatest potential for long-term sustainable impact. It facilitates collaboration and strategic partnership-building among governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, as well provides tailored, human rights and needs-based support.
The workshop was followed by a visit to the Wisma MENDAKI centre in Singapore that operates as a Self-Help Group and is a part of Singapore’s Inter-Agency Aftercare Group that provides social and family reintegration support. The study visit also included a virtual tour of the Religious Rehabilitation Group, including insightful discussions with the Group’s staff about their R&R practices.
The activity was funded by the Government of Japan, the Government of Singapore and the European Union.