|
|
| |
| |
DPI/NGO Briefing
Uniting Against Terrorism: Recommendations for a
Global Counter Terrorist Strategy
8 February 2007
Summary
DPI/NGO Section held its regular weekly NGO briefing
on Thursday, February 8th, 2007, which focused on the report Uniting
against terrorism: recommendations for a global counter terrorist
strategy. Speakers included Yvonne Terlingen, NGO Representative
of the Amnesty International United Nations Office; Pernille Dahler
Kardel, Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United
Nations. Javier Ruperez, Executive Director of the Counter Terrorism
Executive Directorate was scheduled to be on the panel but unfortunately
was unable to attend.
Pernille Dahler Kardel began by emphasizing the importance of adopting
a global counter terrorism strategy at this time. She noted that
terrorism was not something the United Nations had dealt with historically.
In addition while there was disagreement by some member states on
the definition of terrorism, there was agreement that terrorism
was unacceptable and should be condemned. Ms. Kardel further emphasized
the need for human rights to be addressed within the negotiations
dealing with counter terrorism. The global strategy included condemning
terrorism, developing state capacity to prevent terrorism, denying
terrorists the means to carry out an attack, and preventing human
rights abuses while countering terrorism. Ms. Kardel added that
civil society could play an important role in the area of support
for the victims of terrorism.
Yvonne Terlingen opened by commenting on the need for civil society
to discourage groups who feel that turning to terrorism is their
only option. She also said that we must condemn groups who commit
such acts. Ms. Terlingen went on to emphasize the need to address
human rights and operate within the rule of law. Ms. Terlingen mentioned
the three main Security Council resolutions dealing with terrorism.
They were res. 1373, res. 1456, and res. 1624. She added that res.
1624 sent a clear message that counter-terrorism measures had to
comply with international law. Ms. Terlingen also outlined some
of the weaknesses in resolution 1267, which dealt with sanctions
against Al-Qaida and the Taliban. She said that lack of transparency
and lack of safeguards existed within the listing and de-listing
process, specifically mentioning that someone could find themselves
on such a list and have no way of being removed from the list if
they had been placed there in error.
The panel discussion was followed by a question-and-answer session.
During the question and answer period, both panellists commented
on defining terrorism. They explained that trying to do so was very
difficult because, as Ms. Terlingen said, “one man’s
terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”. Both panellists
clarified that defining terrorism and terrorists is a complex issue
involving war crimes versus terrorism, and many other factors. It
was also mentioned that it was important to define the act, not
the actor.
A questioned was also raised concerning what the criteria was for
making house calls on particular countries. Ms. Terlingen explained
that there are no set criteria but that they often choose countries
where they felt they would make the most difference.
A World Chronicle video of and interview with Mr. Javier Ruperez
was screened before the panel discussion.
The briefing was well attended by about 150 representatives of
non-governmental organizations, UN and Permanent Mission staff.
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| | |
