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Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the OIC Group on the First Biennial Review of the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.
At the outset the Group would like to express its appreciation for the efforts of H.E. Ambassador Gert Rosenthal of Guatemala, facilitator of the Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review consultations, aimed at reaching a consensus resolution on the Review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group reaffirms its strong condemnation of all acts and practices of terrorism and remains convinced that terrorism, irrespective of its motivation, objectives, forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and whatever purposes, can never be justified.
The Group also reaffirms that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group, and stresses the need to continue ongoing efforts to promote a culture of peace, justice and human development; ethnic, national and religious tolerance; respect for all religions, religious values, beliefs or cultures; and prevent the defamation of religions.
The Group is of the view that terrorism is itself a violation of human rights.
The Group supports a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism that must address the root causes of terrorism including unlawful use of force, aggression, foreign occupation, festering international disputes, denial of the right of people living under foreign occupation to self-determination, political and economic injustices, and political marginalization and alienation.
The Group reiterates the need to make a distinction between terrorism and the exercise of legitimate right of people to resist foreign occupation and would like to stress that this distinction is duly observed in International Law, International Humanitarian Law, Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and the General Assembly resolution 46/51 which also endorse this position.
The Group reaffirms that the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GA resolution 60/288) constitutes an ongoing effort and is a living document, which should be up-dated and examined regularly. The Group also reaffirms that the Counter-Terrorism Strategy should be implemented in all its aspects.
The Group stresses that the implementation of the Strategy lies first and foremost in the hands of Member States.
The Group recalls that to ensure State ownership of the Strategy, participation of all Member States in the decision making process for the implementation of the Strategy should be ensured. Periodic written reports and regular briefings by the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) on its coordination and coherence activities and an inter-governmental oversight mechanism developed through consensus of all Member States will facilitate achievement of this objective. The group considers that the activities of the CTITF should be untied from its sources of funding. These activities should be demand driven, instead of being donor driven
The Group stresses that the establishment of appropriate structures, and organization of events and activities related to the Strategy should be in a way that promotes consensus; respects given mandates; avoids politicization and addresses all aspects of the Counter-Terrorism Strategy on equal footing.
The Group expresses its deep sympathy with the victims of all acts of terrorism, perpetuated by State or non-state actors, and with the victims of the implementation of counter terrorism measures who suffer due to the disregard of human rights and international humanitarian law. The Group takes note of the Secretary General’s recent invitation to Member States to participate in the Symposium on victims of terrorism. The Group considers, it would have been better, if the Symposium on victims of terrorism was organized as a result of transparent and all inclusive multilateral intergovernmental consultation.
The group would like to stress on the central role of the General Assembly in combating terrorism as it is the only body at the level of the United Nations that enjoys universal Membership.
The Group reiterates its support for the High Level Conference to find solutions of the perennials issues related to international efforts to counter-terrorism, and also underscores the need to evolve a code of conduct for the international efforts to combat terrorism
The Group reaffirms its support for the proposal of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud to establish an international centre, under the United Nations, to combat international terrorism.
I thank you Mr. Chairman