The OIC Group Statement on
Agenda Item99: Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism
(63rd UNGA, 08 October 2008)
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the OIC Group on agenda item 99: “Measures to eliminate international terrorism”.
- At the outset, we would like to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of the Sixth Committee. We would also like to convey our felicitations to other members of the Bureau of the Sixth Committee on their election. We are confident that under your able stewardship the Sixth Committee will be able to successfully conclude its work.
Mr. Chairman,
- The OIC Group strongly condemns all acts and practices of terrorism and remains convinced that terrorism, irrespective of its motivation, objectives, forms and manifestations, committed by whomsoever and wherever, can never be justified.
- We wish to draw attention of the Committee to the Final Communiqué of the OIC Summit held in Dakar, Senegal on 13-14 March 2008 (document #: OIC/SUMMIT-11/2008/FC/Final), the OIC Group Resolution No. 11/35-P adopted by the 35th meeting of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) held in Kampala, Uganda on 18-20 June 2008 as well as the Joint Communiqué of the OIC – Annual Coordination Meeting held in New York in September 2008.
Mr. Chairman,
- The OIC Group reaffirms that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, race, faith, theology, values, culture, society or group. There is no religion or accepted religious doctrine which could be portrayed as encouraging or inspiring acts of terrorism. In this increasingly globalized world, we need more than ever before, understanding, harmony and building of bridges among all cultures and peoples.
- The OIC Group also reaffirms its commitment to strengthen mutual cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Only through a coordinated approach the international community’s fight against terrorism will yield effective results. To achieve this objective the OIC 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 peoples 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 peoples 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 endorses 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.
Mr. Chairman,
- The OIC Group reiterates the call to hold a high-level conference under the auspices of the United Nations to formulate a joint organized response of the international community to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to conclude an agreed definition of 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.
- The Group also reiterates its support for the efforts aimed at developing an International Counter-Terrorism Code of Conduct within the framework of the United Nations.
Mr. Chairman,
- The General Assembly remains seized to the pending issue of the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). The OIC Group reaffirms its commitment to the process of negotiations and underscores the need for progress in this process. We reiterate our previous proposal on the scope of the draft Convention. The Group is seriously considering the proposal of the coordinator. We reaffirm our determination to make every effort to reach an agreement on and conclude the draft convention, including by resolving the outstanding issues related to the legal definition of terrorism, particularly on the distinction between terrorism and peoples’ struggle for self-determination and against foreign occupation, and on the scope of the acts covered by the draft Convention.
Mr. Chairman,
- The Group would also like to express its appreciation for the work done by the Ad Hoc Committee established by the General Assembly through its resolution 51/210 of 17 December 1996. We also appreciate efforts of the Working Group of the Sixth Committee established in this regard.
I thank you Mr. Chairman