A/73/362 C. Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes 64. Building on the Rabat Plan of Action, a process was initiated in April 2015 to assess the specific role that religious leaders and actors can play in preventing incitement to violence that could lead to atrocity crimes (i.e., genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity). In July 2017, the Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes (the Fez Plan of Action) was launched with reco mmendations that address three broad themes, including those which: (a) aim to prevent incitement to violence, including violent extremism and gender-based violence; (b) strengthen tools to prevent such incitement; and (c) reinforce the conditions conducive to preventing incitement to violence by fostering peaceful, inclusive and fair societies and by implementing international human rights standards. 31 Recommendations offered to faith leaders and actors by the Fez Plan of Action can also contribute to the p revention of incitement to violent extremism by encouraging these actors to confront ideologies that promote violent extremism and terrorism; address topics that religious extremists monopolize, including through the provision of accurate and nuanced viewp oints; provide counternarratives to those attracted by or who are part of violent extremist and terrorist groups; and build the resilience of communities, and of youth in particular, to violent extremism. Notably, it recommends implementing a holistic appr oach to preventing violent extremism rather than a security-based approach. 32 In addition to the Rabat Plan of Action, the Fez Plan of Action should be read in conjunction with the Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes, which can add value to strategies to prevent and counter violent extremism through its insights on risk factors and building societal resilience. 33 D. The Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism 65. The Secretary-General outlined his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism in December 2015, calling on States to firmly anchor their strategies, policies and actions in the four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. He noted the central importance of respecting human rights in preven ting violent extremism and highlighted contextual and background factors such as the absence of the rule of law, poverty, deprivation, discrimination, unresolved conflicts and disregard for human rights as factors which can amplify the receptiveness of tar get audiences to violent extremist narratives. While the Secretary-General noted that definitions of “terrorism” and “violent extremism” are the prerogative of States, he stressed that such definitions must be consistent with States’ obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law (see A/70/674, para. 5). He identified a range of actions that the international community, States and non -State actors could take to prevent violent extremism. 66. One of the action points identified by the Secretary-General was to “engage religious leaders to provide a platform for intra- and interfaith dialogue and __________________ 31 32 33 18/22 United Nations, Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence That Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes (World Council of Churches, Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, Kaiciid Dialogue Centre). Available at www.un.org/en/ genocideprevention/documents/Plan_of_Action_Religious_Prevent_In cite.pdf. Ibid., p. 18. United Nations, “Framework of analysis for atrocity crimes: a tool for prevention ” (New York, 2014). Available at www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/publications -and-resources/ Framework%20of%20Analysis%20for%20Atrocity%20Crimes_EN.pdf. 18-14697