Scholarly Symposium Highlights Iraq’s Efforts in Combating Terrorism and Violent Extremism
The Human Rights Unit organised a scientific symposium titled “Iraq and International Cooperation in Countering Violent Extremism Leading to Terrorism” on Sunday, April 20, 2025, under the direction of Assistant Professor Dr. Arwa Fakhri Abd al-Latif, with the participation of several faculty members from the unit.
The symposium aimed to shed light on one of the most pressing issues within Iraq’s current security and political landscape—namely, the phenomenon of violent extremism that leads to terrorism—and to emphasise the critical importance of international cooperation in confronting it.
The event addressed several key themes, including the conceptual framework of extremism, its types and historical background, as well as the intrinsic connection between extremism and terrorism. Particular focus was placed on the strategies adopted by Iraq in combating this phenomenon, especially following the invasion of large portions of the country by the terrorist group ISIS.
The symposium concluded with a series of recommendations, including the need to strengthen the role of the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Education in fostering a culture of peaceful coexistence within society and in raising awareness about the dangers of extremism and its devastating impact on the intellectual and social fabric of the nation.
Additionally, the symposium underscored the role and responsibility of media outlets in countering violent rhetoric and hate speech, and the necessity for Iraq to continue its cooperation with the international community—particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing and modern technological exchange—to ensure the prevention of any resurgence of terrorist organisations and to dismantle their remaining sleeper cells.
