Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 6765th Meeting, 4 May 2012, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts"]

S/PRST/2012/17View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 10 Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, published in 2012.

What subjects does this mandate have?

15 subjects

Capacity Building Coordination Within UN System Counter-Terrorism Crime Victims Cultural Pluralism Human Rights Information Exchange International Cooperation International Instruments International Obligations Organized Crime Sanctions Technical Cooperation Terrorism Weapons of Mass Destruction

What’s in this document?

29 paragraphs

At the 6765th meeting of the Security Council, held on 4 May 2012, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council reaffirms its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

“The Security Council reiterates its strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes, and stresses that any terrorist acts are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation.

“The Security Council notes with concern that terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to international peace and security, the enjoyment of human rights and social and economic development of States, and undermines global stability and prosperity, that this threat has become more diffuse, with an increase, in various regions of the world, of terrorist acts including those motivated by intolerance and extremism, and reaffirms its determination to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including applicable international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

“The Security Council reaffirms that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality or civilization.

“The Security Council reiterates its concern at incidents of kidnapping and hostage-taking by terrorist groups with the aim of raising funds or gaining political concessions, notes an increase of such incidents in some areas of the world with a specific political context, and reiterates the need for this issue to be addressed.

“The Security Council notes the changing nature and character of terrorism, with continuing terrorist attacks around the world, expresses its concern regarding the increasing connection, in many cases, between terrorism and transnational organized crime, and emphasizes the need to enhance coordination of efforts on national, sub-regional, regional and international levels in order to strengthen a global response to this serious challenge and threat to international peace and security.

“The Security Council reiterates its concern at the increased use, in a globalized society, by terrorists of new information and communication technologies, in particular the Internet, for the purposes of the recruitment and incitement as well as for the financing, planning and preparation of their activities.

“The Security Council recognizes the continued need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism and terrorist organizations, reiterates Member States’ obligations in this regards, and acknowledges the important work of the United Nations entities and other multilateral organizations, in particular the Financial Action Task Force.

“The Security Council reaffirms that Member States shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, and shall also give the UN every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the UN Charter, and shall refrain from giving assistance to any State against which the UN is taking preventive or enforcement action.

“The Security Council expresses its profound solidarity with the victims of terrorism and their families, stresses the importance of assisting victims of terrorism, and providing them and their families with support to cope with their loss and grief, recognizes the important role that victims and survivor networks play in countering terrorism, including by bravely speaking out against violent and extremist ideas, and in this regard, welcomes and encourages the efforts and activities of Member States and the UN system, including the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) in this field.

“The Security Council reiterates the obligation of Member States to refrain from providing any form of support, active or passive, to entities or persons involved in or associated with terrorist acts, including by suppressing recruitment of members of terrorist groups, consistent with international law, and eliminating the supply of weapons to terrorists.

“The Security Council recalls all of its resolutions and statements on terrorism, in particular resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), 1373 (2001), 1540 (2004) and 1624 (2005), as well as other applicable international counter-terrorism instruments, stresses the need for their full implementation, renews its call on States to consider becoming parties as soon as possible to all relevant international conventions and protocols, and to fully implement their obligations under those to which they are party, and recognizes Member States’ continuing efforts to conclude negotiations on the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

“The Security Council emphasizes that sanctions are an important tool under the Charter of the United Nations in the international fight against terrorism, and underlines the importance of prompt and effective implementation of relevant sanctions measures. The Security Council reiterates, in this context, its continued commitment to fair and clear procedures. The Security Council also welcomes the recent improvements to the procedures of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), in particular regarding the effective and valuable work of the Office of the Ombudsperson established pursuant to resolution 1904 (2009).

“The Security Council recognizes that the scourge of terrorism can only be defeated by a sustained and comprehensive approach involving active participation and collaboration of all States, and relevant international and regional organizations and civil society, and underlines the need to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, as outlined in the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/RES/60/288). The Security Council encourages Member States to develop comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategies.

“The Security Council reaffirms that Member States must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, underscores that effective counter-terrorism measures and respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law are complementary and mutually reinforcing, and are an essential part of a successful counter-terrorism effort, and notes the importance of respect for the rule of law so as to effectively prevent and combat terrorism.

“The Security Council stresses the importance of respect and understanding for religious and cultural diversity throughout the world, emphasizes that continuing international efforts to enhance dialogue and broaden understanding among civilizations in an effort to prevent the indiscriminate targeting of different religions and cultures, can help counter the forces that fuel polarization and extremism, and will contribute to strengthening the international fight against terrorism, and, in this respect, appreciates the positive role of the Alliance of Civilizations and other similar initiatives.

“The Security Council remains gravely concerned about the threat of terrorism, and the risk that non-state actors may acquire, develop, traffic in or use weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

“The Security Council recognizes the urgent need for additional efforts to be made at the national, regional and international levels, in order to prevent the illicit proliferation of all arms and related materiel of all types, including man-portable surface-to-air missiles, in some regions, and emphasizes that such proliferation could fuel terrorist activities.

“The Security Council stresses the importance of the continued implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in an integrated manner and in all its aspects, and looks forward to its third review by the General Assembly.

“The Security Council emphasizes the need for more enhanced cooperation and solidarity among Member States, particularly through bilateral and multilateral arrangements and agreements to prevent and suppress terrorist attacks, and reiterates its call upon Member States to strengthen cooperation at the international, regional and sub-regional level, particularly through regional and sub-regional mechanisms and coordination and cooperation at the operational level.

“The Security Council stresses the importance of timely and accurate information sharing concerning the prevention and combating of terrorism, and calls upon Member States to intensify their cooperation in this regard, including through mutual legal assistance and enhancing coordination among competent authorities, also within regional and sub-regional frameworks, as appropriate.

“The Security Council notes with concern challenges to the capacity of some Member States in implementing the Council’s counter-terrorism and related resolutions and, in this regard, welcomes the counter-terrorism-related capacity-building assistance provided by the United Nations entities, subsidiary bodies and through bilateral assistance to Member States, and encourages further cooperation and reinforcing of assistance programs to help States prevent terrorist threats, including preventing terrorist groups from exploiting Member States’ vulnerabilities.

“The Security Council stresses that capacity-building in all Member States is a core element of the global counter-terrorism efforts, and underlines in this regard the importance of strengthening cooperation among Member States and with United Nations entities and subsidiary bodies with a view to enhancing individual capabilities of Member States to effectively implement their counter-terrorism obligations, including through increased capacity-building and technical assistance programs and support in developing an effective national rule of law-based criminal justice system, with provisions for judicial criminal cooperation regarding extradition and mutual legal assistance, in particular to expedite, simplify and give priority to extradition and mutual legal assistance requests.

“The Security Council welcomes all efforts aimed at enhancing the visibility of the United Nations counter-terrorism activities as well as ensuring greater cooperation, coordination and coherence among United Nations entities with a view to promoting transparency and avoiding duplication, takes note of the recommendation by the Secretary-General, for Member States to consider, to appoint a United Nations Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, and, in this regard, looks forward to the discussions on this initiative, including within its deliberations on further improving cross-institutional coherence of the United Nations counter-terrorism efforts.

“The Security Council reiterates the need to enhance ongoing cooperation among the committees with counter-terrorism mandates established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004), and their respective groups of experts, and notes the importance of the committees’ ongoing interaction and dialogue with all Member States for their effective cooperation.

“The Security Council encourages relevant United Nations bodies, in particular the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), in close cooperation within the CTITF, to focus increased attention on resolution 1624 (2005) in its dialogue with Member States to develop, in accordance with their obligations under international law, strategies which include countering incitement of terrorist acts motivated by extremism and intolerance and in facilitating technical assistance for its implementation.

“The Security Council expresses its support to the activities of the CTITF to ensure overall coordination and coherence in the counter-terrorism efforts of the United Nations system, and the full participation, within their mandates, of relevant Security Council subsidiary bodies in the work of CTITF and its working groups, and welcomes the establishment of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre, in accordance with the General Assembly resolution A/RES/66/10.

“The Security Council takes note of the recently launched Global Counter Terrorism Forum and its early achievements, and encourages its continued close cooperation with the United Nations entities and subsidiary bodies.”

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