The threat posed by the spread of terrorism based on xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief (XRIRB) has increased globally over the past few years. Although terrorist attacks and radicalization based on violent extremism (XRIRB) vary according to the ideology that inspires them, they are often linked to racism, misogyny, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and hatred towards minorities and the LGBTQ+ community, and in some Member States, also include anti-institutional violence. The individuals and groups espousing these ideologies represent movements that are not easily defined, but at the same time, have a presence both on and offline.
This phenomenon now represents one of the most serious threats to national security in several Member States, requiring increased attention from law enforcement, intelligence and counter-terrorism agencies.
In this context, and to assist Member States in better understanding and responding to this phenomenon, UNODC published the Manual on Prevention of and Responses to Terrorist Attacks on the Basis of Xenophobia, Racism and Other Forms of Intolerance, or in the Name of Religion or Belief in April 2022.
In recent years, Latin America has been increasingly confronted with this phenomenon. While the threat of XRIRB continues to expand rapidly, it generally goes undetected by authorities.
Beyond immediate security concerns, tackling the root causes of these extremist ideologies is essential to long-term stability in the region. Furthermore, the distinct characteristics of XRIRB-based violent extremism and terrorism in the region need to be better understood and its similarities with the global XRIRB movement need to be analysed, as well as the unique narratives and tactics employed by groups in the region. This understanding is essential to designing and implementing effective counter-terrorism strategies, tailored to the specific characteristics of Latin American XRIRB-based violent extremism and terrorism.
To this end, UNODC delivered an awareness-raising and regional capacity-building training workshop for Latin America to address cases involving the investigation and prosecution of terrorist acts and violent extremism based on XRIRB. The event was organized in collaboration with the Argentinian Public Prosecutor's Office and the University Torcuato Di Tella and with the support of Germany. It was attended by representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay and Uruguay, as well as international experts from INTERPOL, Member States and research institutions.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. Eduardo Casa, Attorney General of Argentina, stressed the importance of joining efforts with other countries and regions that have more experience in this field. The event helped to gain a better understanding of the motivations, objectives and organizational structures of these groups, enabling the development of appropriate strategies and preventive measures based on risk assessment.
Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the existence, structure, motivations, sources of funding, threats and challenges posed by groups or individuals embracing XRIRB ideologies. The event also provided a forum to discuss the current threat in Latin America, as well as complex issues such as targeting mechanisms, the spread of propaganda, recruitment and the involvement of young people.
As Oliver Inizan, Deputy Regional Representative of the UNODC Office for the Andean Region and the Southern Cone, outlined in his opening remarks, UNODC's long-term objective would be to establish a forum of professionals to exchange lessons and experiences, foster greater inter-institutional collaboration, and improve regional and international cooperation. To help meet this objective, UNODC already organized a series of workshops in Europe and Africa to raise awareness among responsible state actors and provide them with the tools to tackle the XRIRB-related challenges more effectively.
