Countering International Terrorism: The Response (2)

41. Since early 2003, the United Kingdom has been implementing a long-term strategy for countering international terrorism and the extremism that lies behind it. The aim is:

• to reduce the risk from international terrorism,
• so that people can go about their daily lives freely and with confidence.

42. To achieve this, the Government has put in place a comprehensive programme of action, against both short and long term objectives and involving activity both at national and local level here in the UK and overseas. The strategy and the programme to implement it (known within Government as CONTEST) are divided into four principal areas:

• preventing terrorism by tackling the radicalisation of individuals;
• pursuing terrorists and those that sponsor them;
• protecting the public, key national services, and UK interests overseas; and
• preparing for the consequences.

43. Taken together these are known as the 'Four Ps': PREVENT, PURSUE, PROTECT, and PREPARE.

Principles

44. The Government believes that respect for international law and human rights standards must be an integral part of its efforts to counter terrorism. The promotion of good governance and human rights internationally is also a key element of wider efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

45. Similarly, the drive for equality, social inclusion, community cohesion and active citizenship in Britain strengthens society and its resistance to terrorism here in the UK.

46. Successful delivery of this counter-terrorism strategy depends upon partnerships between all parts of Government; the public, private, and voluntary sectors; and all of us as individuals and as members of communities.