Acting on behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, its Executive Directorate (CTED) conducted a three-day follow-up assessment visit to the Republic of South Africa on 7-9 May 2018.
Since the Committee＊s comprehensive visit to the country 10 years ago, the global terrorism landscape has changed dramatically. The visit therefore focused not only on South Africa＊s implementation of recommendations from 2008, but its evolving approach vis-角 -vis new and anticipated challenges, as well as more recent requirements of the Security Council, including those related to foreign terrorist fighters (resolutions 2178 (2014) and 2396 (2017)), addressing counter-terrorism narratives (resolution 2354 (2017), and the protection of critical infrastructure (resolution 2341).
Parts of the delegation in South Africa.
The delegation met with a wide range of Government officials to discuss legislation and judicial practice, counter-financing of terrorism, law enforcement, border management, international cooperation, countering violent extremism that leads to terrorism, the roles of women in countering terrorism and violent extremism, the need for rule-of-law-based responses to terrorism, and countering terrorism while complying with international human rights obligations. On-site visits to the South African Police Service＊s Forensics Laboratory in Pretoria, the Kgosi Mampuru II Prison, the O.R. Tambo International Airport, and the National Human Rights Commission enabled in-depth discussions on specific issues.
Welcoming the delegation, H.E. Mr. M. Nkosi, Deputy Director-General for Global Governance and Continental Agenda, affirmed South Africa＊s firm resolve to counter terrorism and violent extremism while respecting due process and human rights, in keeping with international obligations. The delegation appreciated its engagement with authorities on their overall institutional approach, founded in South Africa＊s national counter-terrorism strategy, as well as thematic discussions aimed at understanding the laws and measures in place to counter terrorism.
The delegation, led by the CTED＊s Chief of Africa Section, also included representatives of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the World Customs Organization (WCO).