Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, 12 Jan. 2021, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts"]

S/PRST/2021/1View 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 2021.

What subjects does this mandate have?

5 subjects

Counter-Terrorism International Cooperation Sanctions Terrorism Terrorism Financing

What’s in this document?

19 paragraphs

On 12 January 2021, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the topic entitled “Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts”, in accordance with the procedure agreed in light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and set out in S/2020/372, the President of the Security Council issued the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council recalls resolution 1373 (2001) by which it decided to establish the Counter Terrorism Committee and welcomes in this regard the role of the CTC, with the assistance of its Executive Directorate, in the monitoring, promotion and facilitation of implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions.

“The Security Council expresses condolences to the families of victims of terrorism, expresses solidarity with countries that have suffered terrorist attacks, and its support for the survivors and victims of violence committed by terrorist groups, including sexual and gender-based violence.

“The Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all forms and manifestations continues to constitute one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

“The Security Council emphasizes that terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, or civilization.

“The Security Council emphasizes that the threat of terrorism is continuing, affecting Member States across the world, which may exacerbate conflicts in affected regions, and contribute to undermining affected States.

“The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, and stresses that Member States have the primary responsibility in countering terrorist acts and violent extremism conducive to terrorism.

“The Security Council further reaffirms that Member States must ensure that any measures taken to counter terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, underscores that respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law are complementary and mutually reinforcing with effective counter-terrorism measures 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, and further notes that failure to comply with these and other international obligations, including under the Charter of the United Nations, is one of the factors contributing to increased radicalization to violence and fosters a sense of impunity.

“The Security Council recalls its decision, in resolution 1373 (2001), that all Member States shall ensure that any person who participates in the financing, planning, preparation or perpetration of terrorist acts or in support of terrorist acts is brought to justice.

“The Security Council reiterates the obligations of Member States relevant to prevention and suppression of the financing of terrorism, including those set forth in UNSC resolutions 1373 (2001), 2178 (2014), and 2462 (2019).

“The Security Council underlines the need to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, as outlined in Pillar I of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and recognizes that a comprehensive approach to defeating terrorism requires national, regional, subregional and multilateral action.

“The Security Council reaffirms its concern that terrorists and terrorist groups continue to use the Internet for terrorist purposes, and stresses the need for Member States to act cooperatively when taking national measures to prevent terrorists from exploiting technology and communications for terrorist acts, as well as to continue voluntary cooperation with the private sector and civil society to develop and implement more effective means to counter the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes, including by developing counter-terrorist narratives and through innovative technological solutions, all while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and in compliance with domestic and international law.

“The Security Council underscores the importance of a whole of government and whole of society approach and stresses the importance of cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, particularly civil society, in countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, and in this regard encourages the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and youth in this process.

“The Security Council expresses concern that foreign terrorist fighters increase the intensity, duration and intractability of conflicts, may pose a serious threat to their States of origin, the States they transit and the States to which they travel, as well as States neighbouring zones of armed conflict in which foreign terrorist fighters are active and that are affected by serious security burdens, and noting that the threat of foreign terrorist fighters may affect all regions and Member States, even those far from conflict zones, and expressing grave concern that foreign terrorist fighters are using their extremist ideology to promote terrorism.

“The Security Council commends the work under way by the Counter Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate (CTED) to strengthen the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) and relevant subsequent resolutions by identifying capacity gaps, and facilitating technical assistance, recognizes the significant capacity and coordination challenges many Member States face in countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, as well as preventing and countering terrorist financing, recruitment and all other forms of support to terrorist organizations, and in this regard encourages Member States to continue cooperating with the Counter Terrorism Committee and CTED and underscores that neutral, expert assessment of the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) and other relevant resolutions, is the core function of CTED, and that the analysis and recommendations from these assessments are an invaluable aid to Member States in identifying and addressing gaps in implementation and capacity.

“The Security Council underscores the importance of strong coordination and cooperation between CTED and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), as they work within their mandates and in their distinct roles to ensure effective United Nations engagement to Member States to improve the implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in a balanced manner as well as other counter-terrorism resolutions, and highlights the important role of the Global Counter Terrorism Coordination Compact entities, particularly UNOCT, and other providers of capacity building assistance in technical assistance delivery through international cooperation.

“The Security Council reiterates the need to enhance the ongoing cooperation among the committees established pursuant to resolutions 1373 (2001), 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011), 2253 (2015), and 1540 (2004) and their respective groups of experts, notes the importance of the committees’ ongoing interaction and dialogue with all Member States for their effective cooperation and encourages the committees to continue to pursue a constructive and transparent approach.

“The Security Council recalls its previous relevant resolutions and statements of its President which underscore the importance of developing effective partnerships between the United Nations and regional, subregional organizations and fora, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant statutes of the regional and subregional organizations.

“The Security Council will continue its steadfast engagement in preventing and countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism, and resolves to further strengthen the unified and coordinated international response to this scourge, in accordance with its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.”

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