When people make the decision to leave a violent extremist group, the path to what was once home and rehabilitation can seem harder than the one that radicalized them. Importantly, it is not only former violent extremists, but family members including children who can be dragged into a net of suspicion and stigmatization. The international community’s approach to repatriation and rehabilitation has been uneven. Some countries of origin have refused to receive men, women and children associated with extremist groups. And within countries transitional arrangements have varied, including detention and the use of rehabilitation centres, through to direct community-facilitated reintegration.
UN Security Council 2396 recognizes the contribution of civil society to rehabilitation and reintegration. This is supported by emerging evidence that successful reintegration is dependent on social reintegration, that is the acceptance by family, peers, and neighbors. This session aims to discuss how governments and recipient communities can cooperate effectively to rehabilitate and reintegrate those formely associated with extremist groups and their family members.
