Abstract
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is a transregional organization that aims to represent the world’s Muslims. The OIC set an ambitious agenda in its 2025 Program of Action and is evolving from a loosely configured assemblage of states to a more cohesive organization. It is well-positioned to play a greater role in global affairs, particularly in counterterrorism, considering the dire circumstances in many OIC member states wracked by armed conflict. As such, two top priorities are countering violent extremism and promoting human rights, and this chapter examines the intersection between the two. It assesses the degree to which the OIC’s definition of terrorism and its resolutions and initiatives on counterterrorism mirror global trends for countering terrorism within a human rights framework. The chapter concludes that the influence of authoritarian member states and ambiguities concerning the compatibility between some Islamic laws and international human rights laws limit the degree to which the organization can provide guidance on countering terrorism without violating international human rights norms. In addition, despite recent capacity building, the OIC still lacks adequate monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to influence its member states. Its tools for facilitating compliance with the recommendations of its Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission are especially weak.
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Negrón-Gonzales, M. (2019). Counterterrorism Resolutions and Initiatives by Regional Institutions: Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In: Shor, E., Hoadley, S. (eds) International Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism. International Human Rights. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3894-5_9-1
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