IV. Deterring States from supporting terrorist groups

69. The 2005 World Summit Outcome reiterated the call upon States to refrain from organizing, financing, encouraging, providing training for or otherwise supporting terrorist activities and to take appropriate measures to ensure that their territories are not used for such activities. This call would be met if Member States were to fulfil their obligations regarding decisions adopted by the Security Council, as stipulated in Article 25 of the Charter of the United Nations. The Security Council, for its part, should closely monitor the implementation of its resolutions and ensure that all States act in accordance with international law in order to find, deny safe haven to and bring to justice any person who facilitates or participates in the financing, planning or commission of terrorist acts.

70. The international community has taken a number of important steps to provide a solid legal basis for common actions against the spread of terrorism, including by the adoption of 13 universal instruments related to the prevention and suppression of international terrorism, as well as of Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001), 1540 (2004), 1566 (2004) and 1624 (2005). To strengthen the Security Council's authority and role in this area, Council bodies dealing with terrorism should develop standards of accountability and compliance against which efforts of individual States can be measured, with a view to differentiating between those that are deemed able but unwilling and those that are unable to implement their obligations.

71. All States must prevent terrorist groups from operating training centres on their territory, where potential recruits are exposed to dangerous ideologies and even more dangerous skills. Where countries lack the capacity to do this, they should work with the international community to develop such capacity and promote a functioning rule of law. That also means that States must ensure that refugee status is not abused by terrorists, and that claims of political motivation are not recognized as grounds for refusing requests for the extradition of accused terrorists. It is imperative to ensure, however, that counter-terrorism efforts do not impinge on the rights of genuine asylum-seekers and refugees.

72. The Security Council has applied sanctions against a number of States found to be harbouring and assisting terrorists. Such sanctions have been crucial in dissuading several States from continued sponsorship of terrorism. This firm line must be maintained and strengthened.

73. The United Nations has from time to time been asked to conduct investigations of terrorist acts, especially when there is a suspicion of possible involvement of third parties. If States request such investigations in the future, Member States should give due consideration to the best mechanisms to resource and support such activities. The Security Council should act promptly to take the necessary decisions, including - on a case-by-case basis - under Chapter VII of the Charter, against those States or their nationals who incite or help to commit terrorist acts.