What is Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT)?

On September 23, 2019, the members of GIFCT met at the UN General Assembly. It was led by the New Zealand and French Presidents. They met to discuss the progress on the steps taken to implement Christchurch Call to Action

What is GIFCT?

The GIFCT is a counter terrorism platform launched in 2011. However, it was formally established in 2017. The original forum was led by a rotating chair from the 4 founding companies namely Microsoft, Facebook, Youtube and Twitter. It was established to disrupt terrorist abuse on their respective platforms. However, there are talks to make the organization independent.

Goals of GIFCT

Currently there are 6 working groups under GIFCT. They are

• Countering Violent Terrorism
• Criminal Justice and rule of law
• Foreign Terrorist fighters
• Detention and Reintegration

Currently 2 working groups are focused in the regions of Sahel and Horn of Africa. The groups are engaged in the Horn of Africa to counter money laundering and financing of terrorism. In the Sahel region the group is supporting border security, community engagement and police cooperation.

BSI

BSI is Border Security Initiative established by UNCCT – United Nations Counter Terrorism Center, US and Morocco. The BSI will implement the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy. It includes the resolutions of Security Council.

About Christ Church Call to Action

On March 15, 2019 the 17 minute terrorist attack against 2 mosques in ChristChurch, New Zealand was live streamed. The attack killed 51 people and the live stream was viewed 4,000 times before being removed. Two months later the leaders of France and New Zealand adopted ChristChurch Call. It is a commitment made by governments and private companies to eliminate violent and extremist content online.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2019