Washington, DC - Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Sarah Sewall will travel to Norway, Belgium, France, and Switzerland, June 4–16.
Under Secretary Sewall will lead the U.S. delegation to the June 5 European Summit on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), hosted by the Government of Norway in Oslo. The Summit, the second in a series of regional summits following the February White House Summit to Counter Violent Extremism, will provide an opportunity for governments, civil society, and the private sector to discuss collaborative, innovative efforts to address the spread of violent extremism. Topics will include strengthening local preventive work, promoting research and information-sharing, understanding the gender dimensions of violent extremism, and disengagement, rehabilitation and reintegration of violent extremists. Under Secretary Sewall will also meet with counterparts in the Government of Norway to discuss a range of bilateral issues, including shared human rights priorities, and meet with European municipal leaders to discuss efforts to strengthen community-level engagement to mitigate the drivers of violent extremism.
While in Belgium, Under Secretary Sewall will participate in the U.S.-EU Security and Development Dialogue, which will focus on countering violent extremism, conflict and atrocity prevention, and rule of law. She will also discuss anti-corruption efforts with EU officials and civil society.
In France, the Under Secretary will meet with officials in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Defense to discuss joint efforts to address violent extremism and prevent mass atrocities, particularly in Africa. Under Secretary Sewall will also meet with the National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator and participate in a roundtable discussion with civil society leaders.
Under Secretary Sewall will then travel to Geneva, Switzerland, where she will participate in the 29th Session of the UN Human Rights Council and meet with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. She will deliver remarks at the Geneva Center for Security Policy, and meet with civil society leaders to discuss a range of human rights issues, including trafficking in persons, child, early, and forced marriage, and gender-based violence.
