Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 6900th Meeting, 15 Jan. 2013, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts"]

S/PRST/2013/1View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 31 Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, published in 2013.

What subjects does this mandate have?

10 subjects

Capacity Building Coordination Within UN System Counter-Terrorism Human Rights Intercultural Communication International Cooperation International Obligations Rule of Law Terrorism Terrorism Financing

What’s in this document?

32 paragraphs

At the 6900th meeting of the Security Council, held on 15 January 2013, 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 notes with deep concern that terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to international peace and security, recalls all its resolutions and statements on counter terrorism, reiterates its strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes, and expresses its determination to combat by all means terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including applicable international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

“The Security Council stresses that any terrorist acts are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation.

“The Security Council stresses that terrorism can only be defeated by a sustained and comprehensive approach involving the active participation and collaboration of all States and international and regional organizations to impede, impair, isolate and incapacitate the terrorist threat.

“The Security Council recognizes that terrorism will not be defeated by military force or security forces, law enforcement measures, and intelligence operations alone, and underlines the need to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, including, but not limited to, strengthening efforts for the successful prevention and peaceful resolution of prolonged conflicts, and also promoting the rule of law, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, good governance, tolerance and inclusiveness.

“The Security Council stresses the importance of the continued implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in an integrated and balanced manner and in all its aspects and takes note of the third review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by the General Assembly in 2012.

“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, and 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 also 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 United Nations every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the United Nations Charter, and shall refrain from giving assistance to any State against which the United Nations is taking preventive or enforcement action.

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

“The Security Council 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, and addressing unresolved regional conflicts and the full range of global issues, including development issues, will contribute to strengthening the international fight against terrorism.

“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.

“The Security Council reiterates the obligations of Member States pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) including the obligation to refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery.

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

“The Security Council recognizes the need for Member States to prevent the abuse of non-governmental, non-profit and charitable organizations by and for terrorists. The Security Council also calls upon non-governmental, non-profit, and charitable organizations to prevent and oppose, as appropriate, attempts by terrorists to abuse their status. The Security Council recognizes that terrorists sometimes abuse the non-profit status of organizations, including facilitating terrorist financing. As these abuses are addressed, the Security Council recalls the importance of fully respecting the rights to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression and association of individuals in civil society. In this regard, the Security Council takes note of the relevant recommendation of the Financial Action Task Force.

“The Security Council recognizes the need to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism and terrorist organizations, including from the proceeds of organized crime, inter alia, the illicit production and trafficking of narcotic drugs and their chemical precursors, and the importance of continued international cooperation towards that aim. In this regard, the Security Council takes note of the Declaration of Regional Ministerial Conference on Counter-Narcotics held in Islamabad from 12 to 13 November 2012.

“The Security Council notes the early achievements of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) since its establishment and its cooperation with the United Nations entities and subsidiary bodies. The Security Council notes the publication of “the Rabat Memorandum on Good Practices for Effective Counterterrorism Practice in the Criminal Justice Sector”; “Rome Memorandum on Good Practices for Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Violent Extremist Offenders”; and “Algiers Memorandum on Good Practices on Preventing and Denying the Benefits of Kidnapping for Ransom by Terrorists”.

“The Security Council recognizes the importance of an effective criminal justice response to terrorism and underlines the importance of strengthening cooperation among Member States and with United Nations entities and subsidiary bodies with a view to enhancing their individual capabilities, including by supporting their efforts to develop and implement rule of law based counterterrorism practices.

“The Security Council is deeply concerned that incitement of terrorist acts motivated by extremism and intolerance poses a serious and growing danger to the enjoyment of human rights, threatens the social and economic development of all States, undermines global stability and prosperity, and that this threat must be addressed urgently and proactively by the United Nations and all States, and emphasizes the need to take all necessary and appropriate measures in accordance with international law at the national and international level to protect the right to life. In this regard the Security Council emphasizes the importance of building community resilience against incitement including by promoting tolerance and dialogue.

“The Security Council recognizes the challenges faced by Member States in the management of terrorists in custody, and encourages Member States to collaborate and share best practices regarding the management, rehabilitation and reintegration of terrorists in a secure, well-managed and regulated custodial environment in which human rights are respected. In this regard, the Security Council notes the work of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and other United Nations agencies.

“The Security Council takes note of the opening of the international center of excellence on countering violent extremism, in Abu Dhabi on 14 December 2012.

“The Security Council expresses concern at the increased use, in a globalized society, by terrorists of new information and communication technologies, and the Internet, for the purposes of the recruitment and incitement as well as for the financing, planning and preparation of their activities and underlines the need for Member States to act cooperatively to prevent terrorists from exploiting technology, communications and resources to incite support for terrorist acts, while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and in compliance with other obligations under international law.

“The Security Council reiterates its call to Member States to enhance their cooperation and solidarity, particularly through bilateral and multilateral arrangements and agreements to prevent and suppress terrorist attacks and encourages Member States to strengthen cooperation at the regional and sub-regional level, noting also the particular benefits to be derived from cross-regional collaboration and training of law enforcement professionals, judges and prosecutors. The Security Council also notes the importance of close collaboration within and between all agencies of government and with international organizations in combating terrorism and its incitement.

“The Security Council recalls the crucial role of the Counter Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate (CTED) in ensuring the full implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005) and underlines the importance of capacity building and technical assistance with a view to increasing the capabilities of Member States for an effective implementation of its resolutions, encourages the Counter Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate (CTED) to continue to work with Member States, at their request, and to assess and facilitate technical assistance, in particular, in close cooperation within the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), as well as with all bilateral and multilateral technical assistance providers and welcomes the focused and regional approach of CTED aimed at addressing the counter-terrorism needs of each Member State and region.

“The Security Council notes with appreciation the activities undertaken in the area of capacity building by United Nations entities, including the CTITF, in coordination with other relevant international, regional and sub-regional organizations to assist Member States, upon their request, in implementing the Strategy, and encourages the Task Force to ensure focused delivery of capacity-building assistance.

“The Security Council recalls 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 expresses support for 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 mandate, of relevant Security Council subsidiary bodies in the work of the CTITF and its working groups, and notes the work carried out by the United Nations Counter Terrorism Centre within the CTITF Secretariat, in accordance with the General Assembly resolution A/RES/66/10.

“The Security Council recognizes the continued need to enhance the visibility and effectiveness of United Nations counter-terrorism activities and to ensure greater cooperation, coordination and coherence among United Nations entities, with a view to maximizing synergies, promoting transparency and greater efficiencies and avoiding duplication of their work and 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 increase ongoing cooperation among committees with counter-terrorism mandates established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), 1988 (2011),1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004) and their respective groups of experts.

“The Security Council considers sanctions an important tool in countering terrorism, and underlines the importance of prompt and effective implementation of relevant sanctions measures. The Security Council reiterates its continued commitment to ensure that fair and clear procedures exist for placing individuals and entities on sanctions lists and for removing them, as well as for granting humanitarian exemptions. The Security Council recalls the appointment of the Ombudsperson in the Al Qaida sanctions regime and procedural improvements in the Al Qaida and Taliban sanctions regimes.

“The Security Council expresses its profound solidarity with all 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 sharing their experiences and speaking out against violent and extremist ideas, and in this regard welcomes and encourages the relevant efforts and activities of Member States and the United Nations system, including the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF).

“The Security Council recognizes that development and security are mutually reinforcing and are vital to an effective and comprehensive approach to countering terrorism, and underlines that a particular goal of counter terrorism strategies should be to ensure sustainable peace and security.”

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