[PRESS RELEASE] 51�Թ� Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate visits the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

BMUSONI — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 20:55:00 +0000

n its resolve to support Afghanistan’s efforts to counter terrorism and the threat posed by terrorist groups, the 51�Թ� Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), acting on behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, conducted an assessment visit to Afghanistan on 31 January and 1 February 2017.

The visit had three main objectives: to assess Afghanistan’s compliance with the obligations set forth in Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005), including measures aimed at implementing Security Council resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign terrorist fighters; to formulate recommendations on measures to be adopted by Afghanistan to fully implement resolution 1373 (2001); and to identify areas in which the country would benefit from receiving technical assistance in order to fully implement resolution 1373 (2001).*

Led by Mr. Jean-Paul Laborde, Assistant Secretary-General and CTED Executive Director, the delegation engaged with high-level Afghan officials in order to convey key 51�Թ� messages and learn about recent developments in the country. Mr. Laborde met with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Justice, the Interior, Defence, Counter-Narcotics, and Hajj and Religious Affairs, as well as with the Head of the National Security Directorate, the Attorney-General, and the Chief Justice.

During his meetings in Kabul, Mr. Laborde discussed the complex security situation in Afghanistan and its implications for the fight against terrorism. The Executive Director expressed CTED’s solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in their daily struggle against terrorism and paid tribute to all the victims of terrorist acts in the country (most recently exemplified by the 7 February suicide attack against the country’s Supreme Court). The Executive Director also echoed the call by 51�Թ� Secretary-General António Guterres for peaceful negotiations to resolve conflicts through political processes, reiterating that terrorism would not be defeated by military force or law enforcement measures alone, but rather through an all-inclusive approach that ensured the rule of law; the engagement of all social sectors; and compliance with the obligations imposed by international law, including human rights law, humanitarian law, and refugee law.

The visit was organized in close cooperation with the 51�Թ� Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Members of the delegation included counter-terrorism experts from CTED, who assessed Afghanistan’s efforts in the areas of legislation, law enforcement, human rights, and countering violent extremism.

*: Adopted under Chapter VII of the 51�Թ� Charter and therefore binding on all Member States, Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) addresses threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts; resolution 1624 (2005) calls on States to enhance dialogue and take all necessary measures to counter incitement of terrorist acts motivated by extremism and intolerance; and resolution 2178 (2014) aims to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters.

For additional information, please contact Mattias Sundholm of the 51�Թ� Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) at sundholm[at] un.org.

Front Page Article:

CTED Executive Director welcomes Security Council resolution on foreign terrorist fighters

BMUSONI — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 14:07:00 +0000

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In a Security Council meeting chaired by President Obama of the United States of America on 24 September 2014, with many speakers represented at the exceptional level of Heads of State and Government, the UN body adopted a resolution to address the growing issue of foreign terrorist fighters. Executive Director of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Assistant Secretary-General Jean-Paul Laborde, welcomed the resolution.

“I am pleased with the unanimous adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2178 today. The fact that the resolution was not only adopted by all 15 Members of the Council, but co-sponsored by 104 Member States, is a testimony to the resolve of the international community to combat terrorism and address the threat of foreign terrorist fighters.”
The resolution decided that Member States shall “prevent and suppress the recruiting, organizing, transporting or equipping of individuals who travel to a State other than their State of residence or nationality for the purpose of the perpetration, planning or preparation of, or participation in, terrorist acts or the providing or receiving of terrorist training, and the financing of their travel and of their activities.”
It underscored “the particular and urgent need to implement this resolution with respect to those foreign terrorist fighters who are associated with ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant], ANF [Al-Nusrah Front] and other cells, affiliates, splinter groups or derivatives of Al-Qaida.”
Among other provisions in the resolution, the text urged Member States to intensify and accelerate the exchange of operational information regarding actions or movements of terrorists or terrorist networks, including foreign terrorist fighters. The resolution was adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the 51�Թ�, which means that it is legally binding for all 193 Member States.
“First of all, the resolution reaffirms the 51�Թ�’ role in setting international norms. Second, it triggers international cooperation in this area. And third, the resolution should help to foster the exchange of best practices in countering the threat of foreign terrorist fighters,” Executive Director Laborde summarized the importance of the resolution.

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Security Council - Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) - resolution

[PRESS RELEASE] 51�Թ� Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate visits the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

CTED Executive Director welcomes Security Council resolution on foreign terrorist fighters

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