Official Launch of the Brussels Memorandum Marks New Step in Counterterrorism Oversight

A Practical Tool to Strengthen Oversight and Accountability 

To give it its full name, the GCTF Brussels Memorandum on Good Practices for Oversight and Accountability Mechanisms in Counterterrorism (the Brussels Memorandum) was created by the GCTF Oversight and Accountability in Counterterrorism Initiative.  

This initiative is led by the European Union (EU) and supported by its Counter-Terrorism Platform for Human Rights Engagement Facility (CT PHARE), which is managed by the International Institute of Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ).  

The Brussels Memorandum is a practical and publicly available document that outlines a set of non-binding good practices aimed at strengthening oversight and accountability mechanisms in counterterrorism operations.  

Bringing Together Global Counterterrorism Experts 

The two-day launch event Brussels brought together key experts and stakeholders from regions including the Middle East and North Africa, East and West Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. A key step in the operationalization of the good practices, the meeting highlighted their significance in promoting efforts in oversight and accountability in counterterrorism and served as a coordination platform to discuss their implementation within various national and regional contexts.  

Establishing a New Transregional Network 

The meeting also established a Transregional Network to foster collaboration among oversight and accountability experts and practitioners. Made up of three thematic working groups that will focus on national/regional needs and peer-to-peer exchanges, the Transregional Network will guide the design of tailored, in-person technical assistance programs to address specific oversight and accountability challenges in line with the Brussels Memorandum and its operationalization.  

Next Steps for the Oversight and Accountability Initiative 

Under the EU mandate, in partnership with CT-PHARE and the IIJ, the GCTF Oversight and Accountability in Counterterrorism Initiative will continue seeking greater collaboration, the sharing of resources, and continuous peer engagement across governments and organizations to strengthen internal oversight efforts. 

Background 

The Platform for Human Rights Engagement Facility (CT PHARE) is a three-year programme that aims to provide human rights-based counter-terrorism capacity building activities, including policy and institutional support to partner countries and regions that request it.  

Established in October 2022, CT PHARE’s objective is to increase the degree to which states’ counter-terrorism policies, legislation and judicial strategies, investigation and prosecution practices, comply with European and international recognized human rights standards. 

Useful links 

24th GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting 

GCTF Brussels Memorandum on Good Practices for Oversight and Accountability Mechanisms in Counterterrorism (the Brussels Memorandum) 

GCTF Oversight and Accountability in Counterterrorism Initiative 

Counter-Terrorism Platform for Human Rights Engagement Facility (CT PHARE) 

International Institute of Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ)