To the Participants of the Council of
Europe Conference of International Non-Governmental Organizations
January Session (Strasbourg, 26.01.2009)

Dear collegues and friends,

on behalf of the International Antiterrorism Unity (IAU), non-governmental organization with the participatory status of the Council of Europe activities, let me present my high respects to all the Conference participants and address you the following statement.

In connection with the Ms Annelize Oeschger term of office end we are suggesting to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude for her creative fruitful work at the high and responsible post.

At the same time we consider it necessary to note that the preceding Conference governing bodies have constantly ignored the IAU initiatives concerning the broader involving the community members into the counteraction to modern challenges – terrorism and extremism. The proposition to inhance the Conference activity in the human rights observance in the fight against terrorism and extremism has not been discussed or supported as well as the initiative of fostering social partnership between state bodies and non-governmental organizations in the CE member-states. Therefore, as regards the candidature of presidency successor, candidates for the posts of vice-presidents and rapporteurs, the IAU is ready to back those who

1. consider that the Conference activities should be more resultative, initiative and up-to-date,
2. all energies be feasibly directed into the future,
3.  forms and methods of work be renewed, diversified and improved,
4. certain inertness be overcome to be ready to active counteraction to modern threats and challenges for the sake of the CE leading principles.

Our NGO intends to vote for the candidates whose programme and practical plans include the perspective problems of social counteraction to modern terrorism and extremism.

The IAU will come out in favour of those who realise that terrorism and extremism counteraction in the form of joint task of social partners – state bodies and non-governmental organizations – sets the indubitable priority task of the CE INGOs Conference activities – the necessity of actual steps of the rigorous, equally binding for all human rights observance in the CE member-states.

The renovation of the Conference of INGOs top staff will undoubtedly exert certain impact on the priorities of its activities. Human rights observance principles predominating, we are convinced in the paramount guarantees of children’s rights in every country.

We are all building Europe for children with children. In the context of Stockholm strategy for 2009 – 2011, the IAU initiates the programme of work with youth, children, women public organizations charity funds jointly with well-known educators, teachers, psychologists including those working at correctional institutions, lawyers and judges, representatives of law and order inforcement bodies.

Measures are aimed to increase the active public opposition to the violence to children in families, schools, violation of children’s rights in courts and correctional institutions, to take care of disabled and homeless children. It is the violation of children’s rights and violence that make children defenceless, unprotected before the modern challenges and threats, victims of criminality, terrorism and extremism.

This year the IAU is planning to host the forthcoming of the now-annual events which is a natural progression from the preceding six, the VII International Antiterrorism Forum ‘World without Violence – to Children and Youth’. We hope the high officials of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Secretariat will take part in the event.
The IAU takes the opportunity to convey its high esteem to all the INGOs Conference participants.

Respectfully
IAU President O. Dichek