United Nations launches framework to strengthen fight against terrorism
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched a framework to combat the scourge of international terrorism and coordinate efforts across the peace and security, humanitarian, and sustainable development sectors. Termed the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, the framework is an agreement between the UN chief, 36 organizational entities, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the World Customs Organization, to serve the needs of Member States.
Guterres says policies limiting human rights alienate people, communities
Speaking at the first meeting of the Compact's Coordination Committee at the UN, New York, yesterday, Guterres highlighted the need to ensure full respect for international human rights standards and rule of law in countering terrorism. "Policies that limit human rights only end up alienating the very communities they aim to protect and which normally have every interest in fighting extremism," he said.
Guterres says despite success over ISIS, threat still remains high
Guterres said that despite recent successes against the ISIS and its affiliates, the threat posed by returning fighters remains high. He cited this year's Global Terrorism Index released by the Institute for Economic and Peace, which indicates that despite a 27% fall in the number of deaths from acts of terrorism worldwide, the impact of terrorism remains widespread, with 67 countries experiencing deadly attacks.
Neo-Nazi, far-right groups using Internet to radicalize, launch attacks: Guterres
Guterres said it's the second highest recorded number of countries (67) in the past twenty years. "Terrorist organizations like Daesh and al Qaeda continue to twist religion to serve their ends. At the same time, Neo-Nazi and far-right groups are also using the Internet as a platform to mobilize support across borders, exploit economic anxieties, radicalize, recruit and carry out attacks," he said.
Guterres urges strong vigilance against misuse of AI, drones, hate-speech
Guterres urged greater vigilance against the misuse of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, and 3D-printing, as also against the use of hate-speech and distortion of religious beliefs by extremist and terrorist groups. According to the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, the Coordination Committee will oversee the implementation of the Compact and monitor its implementation. It's chaired by UN Under-Secretary-General for counter-terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov.
Committee discussed strategic priorities for next 2 years
At the meeting, the Committee discussed strategic priorities for the next two years, based on the sixth review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, relevant Security Council resolutions and UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) assessments and also Member States requests for technical help. It also looked into the organization of work and ways to improve the delivery of an 'All-of-UN' capacity-building support to Member States.
New framework to replace Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force
The United Nation Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact Task Force will replace the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), which was established in 2005, to strengthen United Nations system-wide coordination and coherence of counter-terrorism efforts.
