S/PV.7316

83 Pages·2014·0.95 MB·English

by  United Nations

S
United Nations
asdf /PV.7316
Security Council
Provisional
Sixty-ninth year
7316
th meeting
Wednesday, 19 November 2014, 10 a.m.
New York
President: Ms. Bishop/Ms. King/Mr. Quinlan ................... (Australia)
Members: Argentina . ...................................... Mr. Timerman
Chad .......................................... Mr. Cherif
Chile .......................................... Mr. Barros Melet
China .......................................... Mr. Liu Jieyi
France ......................................... Mr. Delattre
Jordan ......................................... Mrs. Kawar
Lithuania ....................................... Mr. Krivas
Luxembourg .................................... Mr. Asselborn
Nigeria . ........................................ Mr. Sarki
Republic of Korea ................................ Mr. Shin Dong-ik
Russian Federation ............................... Mr. Churkin
Rwanda ........................................ Mr. Gasana
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ... Sir Mark Lyall Grant
United States of America ........................... Mr. Pressman
Agenda
Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts
International Cooperation on Combating Terrorism and Violent Extremism
Letter dated 4 November 2014 from the Permanent Representative of Australia
to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S/2014/787)
This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the translation of
speeches delivered in other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Records
of the Security Council. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They
should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member
of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room U-0506.
Corrected records will be reissued electronically on the Official Document System of the
United Nations (http://documents.un.org).
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The meeting was called to order at 10.10 a.m. The Security Council will now begin its consideration
of the item on its agenda.
Adoption of the agenda
I wish to draw the attention of Council members
The agenda was adopted. to document S/2014/787, which contains the text of
a letter dated 4 November 2014 from the Permanent
Threats to international peace and security caused Representative of Australia to the United Nations
by terrorist acts addressed to the Secretary-General transmitting a
concept note on the item under consideration.
International Cooperation on Combating
Terrorism and Violent Extremism I now give the floor to the Secretary-General, His
Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
Letter dated 4 November 2014 from the
Permanent Representative of Australia The Secretary-General: Thank you, Madam
to the United Nations addressed to the President, for convening this timely high-level debate.
Secretary-General (S/2014/787) Let me begin by recognizing the global leadership of
Australia, which this month successfully chaired the
The President: I wish to warmly welcome the
Group of 20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia, in which
Secretary-General, Ministers and other representatives
I had the honour of participating, and is also presiding
present in the Security Council Chamber. There can be
over the Security Council this month. Therefore, this
no doubt of the crucial importance of the global effort
month Australia is leading on all the issues: peace and
to counter terrorism. At a number of international
security, economic development and human rights.
meetings Australia has participated in over the past
two weeks — the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation I welcome the Council’s increased attention to
Summit, the East Asia Summit and the Group of 20 the growing threat to international peace and security
meeting — all participants expressed grave concern posed by terrorism and violent extremism. Less than
about the threat posed by terrorism and by the Islamic two months ago, this body adopted resolution 2178
State in Iraq and the Levant, or Daesh, in particular. (2014), which calls for stronger international efforts
Today’s meeting provides the international community to address the challenge of foreign terrorist fighters.
an important opportunity to emphasize its determination That followed closely on the heels of resolution 2170
to act against this threat. (2014), adopted in August under the presidency of the
United Kingdom. I commend the Council for its unity
In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s
of purpose.
provisional rules of procedure, I invite the
representatives of Albania, Algeria, Bahrain, Despite strengthened efforts to combat the threat,
Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, the number of foreign terrorist fighters in the conflicts
Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Denmark, Egypt, in Syria and Iraq has grown to over 15,000 from more
Ethiopia, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, than 80 countries. In addition, terrorist groups spurred
India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, by violent extremist ideologies, such as Daesh, the
Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Al-Nusra Front, Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab, continue
Malaysia, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, to carry out brutal acts and cause profound suffering.
New Zealand, Pakistan, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Millions live under the control of such groups.
Singapore, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain,
Technology and globalization have made it easier for
Sri Lanka, the Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey, Uganda,
them to cause disproportionate harm, exploit narratives
Ukraine and Yemen to participate in this meeting.
and profit from illicit financing. Daesh, for example,
In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s has been illegally trading in oil. We are increasingly
provisional rules of procedure, I invite His Excellency seeing terrorism, drug trafficking and transnational
Mr. Thomas Mayr-Harting, Head of the Delegation of crime grow in intensity and feed off each other.
the European Union to the United Nations, to participate
The international community and the United
in this meeting.
Nations must ensure the full implementation of our
The number of representatives wishing to many tools for action, including Security Council
contribute to this debate is a statement in and of itself resolutions and the United Nations Global Counter-
on the importance of the matter under discussion. Terrorism Strategy.
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Since the adoption of resolution 2178 (2014), be among the areas for review under the new High-level
we have taken a number of specific steps. First, the Independent Panel on Peace Operations.
Al-Qaida Monitoring Team provided an oral briefing
The threat of foreign terrorist fighters and the
to the Council’s relevant Committee on the foreign
scourge of violent extremism are not just security
terrorist fighters threat. That will be followed by a
challenges, they are also political and development
report in March 2015. Secondly, the Counter-Terrorism
challenges affecting the stability and social fabric of
Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) has prepared
communities, countries and regions. We must continue
a preliminary analysis of the principal capacity gaps
to think more deeply about the fundamental conditions
in Member States’ implementation of resolution
that allow extremism to thrive. Looking at these
2178 (2014). Thirdly, in order to address those gaps,
challenges solely through a military lens has shown its
the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force
limits. People need equality and opportunity in their
(CTITF) has established a United Nations coordination
lives. They need to feel included by their Governments
mechanism to mobilize action to support the needs of
and trust from their leaders.
Member States. Fourthly, the United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Centre has initiated a United Nations system- As we work together to address the challenge, we
wide programme on foreign terrorist fighters to develop must also strive to avoid responses to terrorism that are
inter-agency projects to assist Member States. carried out in a way that exacerbates the problem, such
as when efforts are not sufficiently targeted and entire
Two major projects have been launched. The Centre
communities feel victimized by human rights abuses
is helping Member States analyse the foreign terrorist
committed in the name of counter-terrorism. Such
fighter phenomenon and develop policy responses.
abuses are not only immoral, they are counterproductive.
I encourage all Member States to participate in this
Through our collective efforts, we must ensure that all
project, particularly those countries most severely
counter-terrorism actions and policies are consistent
affected.
with international human rights and humanitarian laws.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is
This rights-centred approach to counter-terrorism
also working to strengthen the legal and criminal justice
must be up-front in our planning, not merely an
capacity of Middle East and North African countries to
afterthought. I cannot stress this strongly enough.
address the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters.
I remain fully committed to working with the
Resolution 2178 (2014) also recognizes that violent
Security Council to ensure that we effectively respond
extremism poses a broader threat to international peace
to this challenge in a comprehensive manner.
and security, affecting political stability, national
cohesion and the very foundations of some Member The President: I thank the Secretary-General for
States. The Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task his briefing and for his leadership on the essential role
Force is stepping up efforts to assist Member States in that the United Nations is playing in the international
addressing the multidimensional challenges of extremist effort to address terrorism. We are extremely grateful.
ideologies and violent extremism. That includes a
I now give the floor to Ambassador Quinlan in his
concrete follow-up programme to an international
capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee
conference convened in Geneva last year by the CTITF
pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011),
office to encourage States to implement practical
concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and
measures to counter violent extremism, as prescribed in
entities.
pillar I of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy. I know that CTED, a member of the CTITF, is Mr. Quinlan (Australia): When I last briefed the
also looking at that challenge on behalf of the Council. Council as Chair of the Al-Qaida Committee in May
(see S/PV.7184), I spoke about the threat arising from
Ultimately, violent extremism is a multidimensional
an increasing range of heterogeneous Al-Qaida-linked
challenge that needs to be effectively addressed at the
or splinter groups. Since May we have all witnessed the
grassroots level. We are therefore examining how best
dramatic shift in that threat, with the brutal extremism
to strengthen the counter-terrorism capabilities of
and rapid territorial gains of two groups on the Al-Qaida
United Nations special political missions, peacekeeping
sanctions list, namely, the Islamic State in Iraq and the
operations and United Nations country teams. This will
Levant (ISIL) and the Al-Nusra Front (ANF).
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The Council responded on 15 August by adopting networks of foreign terrorist fighters, numbering
resolution 2170 (2014), which emphasizes the role of the over 15,000 from more than 80 countries and who
Al-Qaida sanctions regime in tackling the threat posed already threaten a range of States; secondly, the
by ISIL and ANF and called on States to strengthen power of ISIL and the Nusra Front’s toxic ideology
measures to counter funding and recruitment for and propaganda, which has set a new standard for
those groups. In that resolution, the Council directed Al-Qaida in disseminating its message; and, thirdly,
the Al-Qaida Sanctions Monitoring Team to submit their operational innovation, which could create a
to the Committee in mid-November a report on the mobile, transnational cadre of expert terrorists who can
threat, including to the region, posed by ISIL and combine terrorist, guerrilla and conventional tactics.
ANF, their sources of arms, funding, recruitment and Those three strands carry associated risks. As we have
demographics, and to recommend additional action to seen with previous Al-Qaida veterans, there is a high
address the threat. risk that these battle-hardened, radicalized recruits will
transfer their skills and threaten peace and security in
In its report (see S/2014/815), the Monitoring Team
other countries in years to come. ISIL’s propaganda is
notes that the threat from those groups is not new: ISIL
produced in greater volumes and with greater frequency
evolved from Al-Qaida in Iraq to emerge today as a
splinter group of Al-Qaida, while the ANF remains a than before, and has been modernized and digitalized,
formal Al-Qaida affiliate. Both groups originated from making it globally available with the potential to sustain
terrorist networks founded by veterans of previous a new wave of Al-Qaida movement activity.
Al-Qaida-related groups in Afghanistan and elsewhere
The Monitoring Team found that both ISIL and
during the 1990s. Differences relating to leadership
ANF had seized military assets from conventional
emerged in 2013, with the Al-Qaida core and ANF
armies, captured, diverted and traded arms with other
formally disassociating itself from ISIL and its leader,
opposition groups and benefitted from an extensive
Al-Baghdadi, in February 2014; but both groups
informal regional economy in arms smuggling. ISIL
continued to subscribe to the underlying goals of
is particularly well armed, having seized extensive
Al-Qaida, promoting extremism and seeking to change
supplies of heavy weapons from the Government of
the existing political order in the Middle East through
Iraq, including man-portable air defence systems and
terrorist violence to establish a State based on a widely
high mobility multipurpose military vehicles, while
repudiated misinterpretation of religion and to expel
the Nusra Front is more dependent on continuing
foreign influence.
fresh supplies of weapons and ammunition. Both are
But while the threat is not new, the Monitoring Team sophisticated in their use of improvised explosive
assessed that the scale of the threat was qualitatively and devices and explosive remnants of war.
quantitatively different, because of the nexus between
Similarly, on finances, the Monitoring Team found
funding and the groups’ control over population and
that ISIL had been able to seize considerable assets in
territory, and the thousands of foreign terrorist fighters
both Iraq and Syria and continued to benefit from a
that have joined them. Both groups pose an immediate
substantial, continuing revenue flow from a range of
threat to the population in territories they have seized
sources, including the sale of oil, extortion, kidnapping
and where they operate, as well as in neighbouring
for ransom and — to a lesser extent today — donations.
territories. Both groups have a track record of summary
The bulk of ISIL’s funds appear to come from its
killings, rape and sexual violence, trafficking in
control of oil fields in Iraq and Syria, which it sells
women and children, targeting humanitarian workers
and smuggles predominantly through tanker trucks
and kidnapping and murdering hostages for income
and long-established smuggling networks, which
or political messaging. Their presence fundamentally
the Monitoring Team assessed could raise revenue
complicates efforts to forge political order in Iraq and
ranging from $846,000 to $1,645,000 per day. Both
Syria, and aggravates and intensifies existing armed
ISIL and the Nusra Front exploit civilian populations,
violence. Their extreme ideology exacerbates sectarian
tensions, generating further tension in the region, extracting payments from those who pass through,
while their campaign against minorities has altered the conduct business in or live in areas under their control,
demography of Iraq and Syria. and raising revenue through the sale of stolen goods.
There is evidence that ISIL encourages the looting
Globally, the Monitoring Team found the threat
and smuggling of antiquities from Iraq and Syria and
derived from three strands: first, the large and diverse
generates revenue by taxing looters. However, ANF
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lacks the same range and depth of resources and appears the Committee assess the impact of such measures after
to rely more on external donations and kidnapping for six months to ensure that they affect only their target.
ransom. The funds generated from those illegal activities
Lastly, the Monitoring Team recommends that
are used by groups to support their recruitment efforts
Member States use INTERPOL’s network and tools,
and strengthen their operational capability to organize
such as the transnational fighters database, to share
and carry out terrorist attacks.
information on known and suspected foreign terrorist
In terms of ISIL and Nusra Front recruits, the Team fighters, and highlights the need for more concerted
identified three main sources: foreign terrorist fighters, multilateral and national action to address the toxic
local Iraqis and Syrians, and new local affiliates, ideas and imagery promoted by ISIL, ANF and other
ranging from militia and ex-Baathists who had made groups within the Al-Qaida movement.
tactical alliances with ISIL. Recruits are drawn in
Effectively implemented, well-targeted Al-Qaida
through Internet-based platforms, personal contact
sanctions can make a real contribution to disrupting
and persuasion, or in some cases through prison-based
ISIL and ANF and inhibiting their international
networks. Despite the sharp growth in foreign terrorist
network of recruits and facilitators. But sanctions alone
fighters in the last three years, the Monitoring Team
are clearly not sufficient; a comprehensive approach
found no specific typology for a foreign terrorist
is needed that properly integrates United Nations
fighter, but more data was emerging. What can be
strategies with multilateral and national action and
said is that this new wave tends to be younger, more
incorporates strategic communication to counter the
diverse and digital-savvy, which in turn generates
terrorist narrative.
fresh social and operational networks that are more
transnational. Fighters came from over 80 countries, The President: I thank Mr. Quinlan for his
with large groupings from the Maghreb and the Middle comprehensive briefing.
East, along with Europe and Central Asia. There was
I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Raimonda
also evidence of a significant presence of dual nationals
Murmokaitė in her capacity as Chair of the Committee
with European passports.
established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001)
As directed in resolution 2170 (2014), adopted concerning counter-terrorism.
in August, the Monitoring Team has made a number
Ms. Murmokaitė (Lithuania): I would like to start
of detailed recommendations, which the Al-Qaida
by thanking the Australian presidency for providing
Committee is now considering. The Monitoring
me with this timely and very important opportunity
Team recommends that the Committee promote fuller
to brief the Security Council on the Counter-Terrorism
implementation and greater use of the existing Al-Qaida
Committee’s efforts pursuant to resolution 2178 (2014).
sanctions regime by encouraging States to identify
I recall that the Committee, with the support of its
more designations to the Committee relevant to ISIL
Executive Directorate (CTED), is mandated by that
and ANF and encouraging the availability of technical
resolution to identify gaps in Member States’ capacities
assistance and capacity-building to address gaps in
to implement resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005)
implementation, in collaboration with the Counter-
that may hinder States’ ability to stem the flow of
Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate.
foreign terrorist fighters; identify good practices
The Monitoring Team also recommends a number in States’ implementation efforts; and facilitate the
of measures requiring Council action, designed not necessary technical assistance to fill implementation
only to stem the flow of funds to ISIL and ANF from gaps. While implementing its mandate, the Committee,
the sale of oil from territory they control, but also with the support of CTED, has prepared a preliminary
to tackle potential revenue streams, such as from analysis of the principal implementation gaps. This
looted antiquities, and to prevent possible avenues non-State-specific analysis will be issued as a document
for resupply in ISIL- and ANF-controlled territory by of the Security Council under the symbol S/2014/807.
banning flights to or from such territory. The Team also Allow me to highlight some of the key findings of this
recommends a specific focus on heightened vigilance in analysis.
the banking sector against ISIL and ANF. Should such
With regard to the legal framework. States must
measures be adopted, the Team also recommends that
determine whether their laws criminalize specific acts
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related to foreign terrorist fighters, in accordance with crossings hampers States’ ability to detect and prevent
paragraph 6 of resolution 2178 (2014). Our preliminary the movement of foreign terrorist fighters. Many
analysis indicates that, although many States have States are either inadequately connected to or do not
introduced, pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001), fully exploit the databases of INTERPOL. Controls on
comprehensive legislation that could be transposed the issuance of identity papers and travel documents,
to meet the challenges of the flow of foreign terrorist and measures to prevent counterfeiting, forgery or
fighters, others do not have adequate legislation in this fraudulent use of identity papers and travel documents
respect. Some States, for example, do not yet adequately are also lagging, for a variety of reasons, including a
criminalize the broad range of preparatory acts related lack of effective mechanisms to implement related
to the flow of foreign terrorist fighters, including acts requirements. The porous and lengthy nature of many
aimed at facilitating the travel of foreign terrorist land borders — including those of States most affected
fighters, as well as the travel of such fighters through by the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters — also
their territories in transit for the purpose of committing continues to increase States’ vulnerabilities.
terrorist acts in other States.
When it comes to preventing and disrupting terrorist
It is also evident that bringing foreign terrorist financing, many States have yet to ensure, pursuant
fighters to justice faces significant practical challenges. to resolution 1373 (2001), that their legal frameworks
Many States lack the capacity needed to ensure include the criminalization of terrorist financing, or to
that individuals participating in activities related to establish mechanisms for the freezing of terrorist assets
the flow of foreign terrorist fighters are brought to without delay. The ability to effectively identify and
justice through effective prosecution in accordance prevent the illicit cross-border movement of cash and to
with resolutions 1373 (2001) and 2178 (2014). Among regulate alternative remittances needs to be addressed
other things, the Committee’s ongoing dialogue with with greater urgency. States also need to work actively
States has revealed difficulties in obtaining evidence with the private sector and non-profit organizations
from other countries — whether of origin, transit or to provide guidance on how best to protect financial
destination — and has shown that few foreign terrorist flows from being diverted to terrorist uses. Perhaps the
fighters reveal their plans before leaving. International most critical gap in States’ capacities is the inadequate
judicial cooperation on the matter needs to be stepped sharing of comprehensive, useful and timely financial
up and made more effective. Gaps also continue to information by domestic law enforcement and
exist in arrangements and mechanisms relating to intelligence partners or by national agencies and their
extradition. international counterparts.
On the law enforcement side, resolution 1373 (2001) Countering incitement to terrorism and providing
requires States to take the necessary steps to prevent an effective and calibrated counter-narrative is key to
the commission of terrorist acts. Many States, however, tackling violent extremism, which can be conducive
lack adequate capacities to monitor communications to terrorism. The emphasis on its importance is one of
through special investigative techniques and other the most novel aspects of resolution 2178 (2014), which
lawful methods in implementing this preventive is also of relevance in the context of resolution 1624
aspect. Gaps exist also in the international exchange (2005). Some States have not yet taken adequate steps
of information by law enforcement and intelligence to initiate community-engagement programmes or to
agencies aimed at preventing the commission of terrorist develop strategies for effectively conveying targeted
acts and bringing terrorists, including foreign terrorist counter-messages aimed at specific groups that may be
fighters, to justice, including by the provision of early vulnerable to radicalization and the spread of violent
warning to other States by exchange of information. extremism. There are also gaps in States’ efforts to
This form of information exchange can be vital to counter the use of information and communications
countering the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters technologies, including the Internet, by terrorists and
and needs to be enhanced. their supporters to incite terrorist acts and encourage
support and sympathy for terrorist groups.
Significant gaps remain in Member States’
implementation of the border-control provisions of Another important gap in many States is the lack of
resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005). The lack of effective strategies and programmes for the rehabilitation
relevant information and analytical capability at border and reintegration of returning foreign terrorist fighters.
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The development of such strategies and programmes is Ultimately, the facilitation of technical assistance
a specific requirement of resolution 2178 (2014), which is a core aspect of the mandate conveyed by resolution
also requires States to adopt prosecutorial strategies to 2178 (2014). The Committee and CTED will underpin
hold foreign terrorist fighters accountable for terrorist their technical assistance facilitation work with specific
acts while assessing whether alternative means exist to efforts and approaches, taking advantage of the data
better facilitate their rehabilitation and reintegration. gathered by the Fusion Task Force using a gaps analysis
technique. That will include working with States, at
Finally, there continue to be significant gaps in
their request, on the development of comprehensive
States’ efforts to ensure compliance with their obligations
counter-terrorism strategies. In terms of the delivery
under international law, including international human
of technical assistance, other players, both within
rights law, international refugee law and international
and outside of the United Nations system, such as
humanitarian law in the context of counter-terrorism
the Counter-Terrorism Task Force, entities within the
measures taken to implement resolutions 1373 (2001)
United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation
and 1624 (2005), and this may foreshadow similar gaps
Task Force framework and donor States of the Global
in the implementation of resolution 2178 (2014). Respect
Counterterrorism Forum, are of paramount importance.
for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule
The Counter-Terrorism Committee and CTED will
of law are complementary and mutually reinforcing
continue to explore effective ways and approaches to
with effective counter-terrorism measures, and are an
achieving the objectives of counter-terrorism capacity-
essential part of a successful counter-terrorism effort.
building.
The failure of States to comply with these and other
international obligations, including under the Charter The Committee looks forward to future opportunities
of the United Nations, is one of the factors contributing for updating the Security Council and the wider
to increased radicalization and fosters a sense of membership on its efforts pursuant to resolution 2178
impunity. (2014).
Against the backdrop of the new challenges of The President: I thank Ambassador Murmokaitė
terrorism, the Committee is aware of the fact that ever for her detailed and insightful briefing.
more countries are recognizing the grave threat posed
The Council has before it the text of a daft statement
by the global nature of foreign terrorist fighters. In
by the President on behalf of the Council on the subject
this regard, counter-terrorism actions and measures
of today’s meeting. I thank the Council members for
are either being considered, reviewed or undertaken by
their valuable contributions to the draft statement. In
States to address the phenomenon of foreign terrorist
accordance with the understanding reached among
fighters, as well as in countering violent extremism
members of the Council, I shall take it that the members
that can be conducive to terrorism. This opens
of the Security Council agree to the draft statement,
new dimensions and possibilities for international
which will be issued as a document of the Security
cooperation.
Council under the symbol S/PRST/2014/23.
The Committee, with the support of CTED,
It is so decided.
will continue to develop and deepen the analysis of
States’ gaps and assistance needs with regard to the It is now my privilege to make a statement in my
implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 capacity as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia.
(2005). That will help States comply with resolution
For Australia, there is no more pressing matter of
2178 (2014) and, in so doing, will build on CTED’s
national and international security than reducing the
unique knowledge base with regard to country-
threat from terrorism. The threat from the Islamic State
specific, regional and global assessments of States’
in Iraq and the Levant, the Al-Nusra Front (ANF) and
implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624
other Al-Qaida-affiliated groups is more dangerous,
(2005).
more global and more diversified than ever before.
The Counter-Terrorism Committee will also continue Terrorists are younger, more violent, more innovative
to compile good practices and make recommendations and highly interconnected. They are masters of social
to States for strengthening their counter-terrorism media, which they use to terrorize and to recruit, and
programmes and will continue to count upon key they are very tech-savvy. They incite each other. They
partners in those endeavours. communicate their propaganda and violence directly
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into our homes so as to recruit disaffected young men payments to cut off the diversion of such funds for
and women. terrorism. Those new laws will enable us to stop
suspected foreign fighters before they board a plane
They draw in young people, like a 17-year-old
by allowing us to suspend as well as cancel a person’s
from Melbourne who grew up in a typical Australian
Australian passport and enhancing screening and
household and played sport for his local high school.
security measures at international airports, including
Recently, he travelled to Iraq and detonated his
through the collection and matching of biometric data.
explosives vest in a suicide bomb attack in a Baghdad
marketplace, injuring more than 90 people. There were Those laws will enhance our ability to investigate
also the three young brothers from Brisbane. One and prosecute foreign fighters by introducing a new,
became Australia’s first known suicide bomber, killing broader offence for advocating terrorism, along with a
himself and 35 others at a military checkpoint in Syria. new offence for entering, or remaining in, designated
The second is currently fighting with the Al-Nusra areas overseas where terrorist organizations are
Front. The third was stopped by Australian authorities fighting, without a legitimate reason. We have also
before he got on a plane to join them. amended the terrorist organization listing provisions to
include the promotion and encouragement of terrorist
Australians are rightly outraged. We have turned
acts, requiring that the prosecution must prove that
our outrage into action. We are committed to working
a person intended to engage in a hostile activity in
with the Iraqi Government, the United States and over
any foreign country, rather than a particular foreign
30 partners to attack and degrade ISIL and take back
country, and allowing courts greater flexibility
Iraqi territory. We are currently conducting air strikes
in determining whether to admit as evidence
against ISIL and providing special forces to help build
material obtained from overseas in terrorism-related
the capabilities of Iraqi security forces and others
proceedings. That is a significant development and will
fighting ISIL. I met recently with Prime Minister Al
rely on good information-sharing with Member States.
Abadi in Baghdad. He expressed deep gratitude for
Moreover, we are now requiring telecommunication
the assistance of Australia and the other nations that
companies to retain metadata, enhancing Australia’s
have joined in the fight against the brutalization of his
capacity to track, investigate and prosecute foreign
citizens by ISIL. I conveyed to him Australia’s strong
terrorist fighters and supporters of terrorism. The new
support for Iraq and our determination to stop terrorist
provisions will also enhance our ability to manage the
fighters from Australia and prevent them from adding
threat from returned foreign fighters by enabling our
to the suffering of the people of Iraq and neighbouring
police to more easily seek control orders on returning
Syria.
foreign terrorist fighters and broadening the grounds
We are taking the necessary steps at home. The on which such control orders can be sought.
Australian Government has cancelled the passports
Australia is a vibrant democracy. Therefore, this
of more than 70 Australians suspected of planning to
package of legislation has generated, as it should,
commit a terrorist act or engage in politically motivated
a vigorous national debate on the need to protect the
violence overseas. Australia already has in place
individual rights of Australians, including their right
sophisticated legal architecture to effectively counter
to privacy. Australia is preserving those rights by
terrorism, including laws enabling us to implement
increasing support for independent oversight. We will
those obligations with regard to all Member States
also expand our regional law enforcement capacity-
under resolution 1373 (2001). I used those existing
building efforts. Australia will host a major Global
laws last week to freeze the assets of two Australians
Counterterrorism Forum conference in December
who were recruiting for ISIL online. The Australian
on air passenger security to help Governments use
Government has now introduced new foreign-fighter
INTERPOL databases and implement the United
laws to help disrupt the organization, financing and
Nations Al-Qaida sanctions to prevent international
facilitation of foreign terrorist fighters by enhancing
travel by foreign terrorist fighters. We are working with
our ability to track financial transactions of suspected
INTERPOL to deliver training in our region on the
foreign terrorist fighters, lowering the threshold for
use of technology by terrorists and on how electronic
arrest without warrant for terrorism offences, which
evidence is gathered, managed and used in terrorism
will enable our agencies to disrupt terrorist activity at
prosecutions. As President of the Financial Action Task
an earlier stage, and cancelling certain social welfare
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Force for the next year, Australia will ensure that the must starve terrorist organizations of fighters, funding
Task Force will act to cut off funding to terrorist groups and legitimacy. We must act decisively and together.
and foreign fighters.
I now resume my functions as President of the
A crucial pillar in the Australian approach is to Council.
work directly with our communities. It seems to us that
I shall now give the floor to the other members of
the very best way to build resistance to radicalization is
the Security Council.
through well informed families, schools, and religious
and local institutions that can influence those at risk to Mr. Timerman (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish):
dissuade them from embracing violent extremism. We At the outset, I would like to thank Ms. Julie Bishop,
are building targeted early-intervention and counter- Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, for the
radicalization programmes to identify the most at-risk invitation to participate in this debate and to thank
individuals and to work with them through mentoring, the Secretary-General for his informative briefing.
education, employment support and counselling. Likewise, I would like to greet my colleague from
We must also involve women and girls, and we have Luxembourg and the high representatives of Rwanda,
developed leadership training courses with them to the Republic of Korea and Lithuania.
help build community resilience. We are working with
We all agree that today we are facing a proliferation
the information and communications technology sector
of terrorist acts that share with terrorist acts of the
to reduce the risk posed by terrorists and extremist
recent past a common condition of being resounding
groups online through education, promoting alternative
manifestations of extreme violence, radicalized
messages and removing extremist content.
fundamentalism and an absolute and cruel devaluation
ISIL and its ilk are an affront to Islam. All of of human dignity. However, today, we are also facing
us, including Muslim communities themselves, must innovative modalities, if I may use that expression, that
do more to negate the violent extremist narratives of combine the reality of cruelty with virtual horror. The
terrorists and denounce radical preachers of hate in images of decapitations circulated by the networks place
our midst. The international community must join with us, in real time, before what we might characterize as
them, and the United Nations is uniquely placed to the virtual globalization of horror, a phenomenon that
provide leadership. The hateful ideologies are an affront universalizes fear, uncertainty and alarm in a tangible
to the values of the Charter of the United Nations. We manner.
believe that a United Nations envoy should be appointed
The normalization of horror in the media and the
to build a coherent, coordinated and strategic message
acceleration of extreme violence cannot bring us to
to counter the spread of violent extremism and provide
see the military response as the only, or preferred,
much-needed guidance to States, including through
option for combating terrorism in all its forms and
building their capacity to combat terrorism.
manifestations. That approach has already shown its
Every country has an obligation to prevent limitations and failings. We have a responsibility, in
terrorism. Every country has an obligation not to export the light of a humanity that seems paralysed by terror,
terrorist capabilities. Each one has a responsibility to to work for the full rule of law in each of our countries,
degrade the resources of terrorist organizations and to assuming the imperative need to build a balanced and
prevent the spread of their evil propaganda. Resolutions fair world order based on real multilateralism and
2170 (2014) and 2178 (2014) enhance our framework cooperation.
to do that. But the road to effective implementation
In the recent past, no country could consider
requires sustained effort, unwavering commitment
itself immune from the possibility of falling victim to
and enduring cooperation among States. Today’s
terrorist acts. However, today the threat is more clear
presidential statement S/PRST/2014/23 builds on those
than ever, and the implementation and strengthening
resolutions. It identifies practical next steps to stop the
of mechanisms for effective cooperation based on
recruitment and travel of foreign terrorist fighters, to
mutual respect are more necessary than ever. Although
ensure that there is no place for their toxic ideologies in
the international community has still not reached a
our communities and to disrupt each and every terrorist
universally agreed definition of terrorism, it is possible
organization’s funding sources. The statement reaffirms
to identify what acts the international community
the international community’s unflinching resolve. We
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S/PV.7316 Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts 19/11/2014
condemns. We join the condemnation of terrorism refugee law. Those measures should also respect the
in all its forms and manifestations, as it is one of purposes and the principles enshrined in the Charter of
the most serious threats to international peace and the United Nations, such as the sovereignty, territorial
security and to human dignity, peaceful coexistence, integrity, political independence of States and the
the consolidation of democracy, and the economic and principle of non-intervention in domestic affairs.
social development of nations.
Likewise, Argentina advocates respect for due
Argentina is one of the many countries that have process in the work of this Council. The creation of the
suffered terrorism directly. Office of the Ombudsperson represents a significant
step forward in that regard, but the Members of
First, from 1976 to the end of 1983, our society
the Organization continue to raise concerns about
suffered from terrorist acts perpetrated by the State
procedural guarantees. One of the major concerns is
and with the State apparatus by the most savage
that the mandate of the Ombudsperson covers only
civil-military dictatorship that we have experienced.
those individuals included in the Al-Qaida sanctions
It was responsible for heinous crimes and crimes
list. Argentina calls for broadening the mandate of
against humanity. The persecution of individuals
that Office to all of the Security Council sanctions
who had ideologies considered subversive, potentially
committees.
subversive or simply dangerous led to a systematic plan
for exterminating and annihilating more than 30,000 Argentina is a party to the 13 legal instruments that
people for their political or social activism, religious have been established to combat terrorism and has taken
beliefs, class, ethnic identity or sexual orientation. internal measures to implement them and the Council’s
They were victims of the genocidal violence of a resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005). Furthermore,
fundamentalist conservativism, inspired by the together with your country, Madam President, and
doctrine of national security and trained by important many others, Argentina helped to initiate the Arms
centres of power that, during the Cold War, prevented Trade Treaty, which comes into force on 24 December.
the advance and consolidation of democracy, pluralism, One of the Treaty’s purposes is to prevent the transfer
tolerance and peace. of arms to human-rights violators and perpetrators of
crimes against humanity, as well as to reduce the risk
Secondly, we experienced in our own flesh the
of weapons being diverted to the illegal market, with
dehumanizing and terrible actions of foreign terrorist
the possibility that they might end up in the hands of
groups that, motivated by hatred, fanaticism and
terrorist or criminal groups. We therefore encourage all
destruction, committed terrorist attacks in 1992 and
States Members of the United Nations, especially the
1994 against the Jewish community centre, AMIA,
members of the Council, to ratify the Treaty, since it
and the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires. As the
will contribute significantly to our countries’ security.
President of the Argentine nation said in the Security
Council in September (see S/PV.7272), the Argentine I should mention that during the Treaty negotiations,
Republic and the United States of America are the Argentina, like a significant number of delegations,
two countries on the American continent to have been also proposed banning the sale of arms to unauthorized
the object of savage terrorist attacks. Those painful non-State actors. Regrettably, no consensus was reached
experiences and the numerous terrorist acts carried out on including such a ban at the time of the Treaty’s
since then have reaffirmed Argentina’s conviction that adoption, but Argentina is hopeful that the parties to
the response to terrorist acts should not and cannot be the Treaty will approve it as one factor in preventing
exclusively military. Rather, they should be based on a arms transfers that could help to fuel conflicts in
comprehensive approach, such as that reflected in the various parts of the world. Reality has shown us that
United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. when some countries decide today to arm those calling
themselves freedom fighters, tomorrow those freedom
I also wish to express my country’s conviction that
fighters may be the terrorists we are trying to combat.
terrorism must be fought within the framework of the
rule of law and respect for due process. Indeed, the It is clear that the 13 conventions on combating
measures adopted by States to combat terrorism must terrorism oblige us, among other things, to prevent
fully respect international law, in particular international terrorist groups from having access to resources and
human rights law, international humanitarian law and funding for their activities. It is also clear that the
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