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

CTED conducts comprehensive assessment visit to Tajikistan

BMUSONI — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 17:13:00 +0000

On behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, CTED conducted a six-day assessment visit to the Republic of Tajikistan from 19 to 24 February 2017 to discuss Tajikistan’s implementation of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014) and 2242 (2015). The discussions focused on legislation and judicial practice, counter-financing of terrorism, law enforcement, border control, international cooperation, and countering violent extremism that leads to terrorism, as well as on the role of women in countering terrorism and violent extremism and the need for rule-of-law-based responses.

The delegation welcomed Tajikistan’s recent adoption of the National Strategy on Countering Extremism and Terrorism for 2016-2020 and its Action Plan, and discussed with the Government ways to ensure their effective implementation, including through the engagement of all sectors of the society.

The delegation also visited Dushanbe international airport and a border crossing point on the Tajik-Afghan border to discuss matters relating to border control and management.

Tajikistan reaffirmed its strong commitment to countering terrorism in all its aspects, including foreign terrorist fighters and returnees; the links between terrorism and transnational organized crime, including illegal trafficking of drugs, arms and humans; and abuse of the Internet and social media for terrorist purposes. Tajikistan estimates that at least 1,000 nationals have travelled to conflict zones in Syria and Iraq. A sizable number of nationals have also joined terrorist groups active in the Afghanistan/Pakistan border area. Those groups include the Taliban, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (also known as the Islamic Movement of Turkestan), and regional cells of ISIL. It is reported that terrorist and extremist groups have recruited from among the large Tajik diaspora and labour migrants abroad.

The visiting delegation was also informed about measures taken to address these issues, including by addressing the conditions conducive to terrorism, improving capacities to bring terrorists to justice, and strengthening international and regional cooperation.

In addition to CTED experts, the delegation included representatives of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011), and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities; the Expert Group of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004); UN Women; the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL); the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE); the Eurasian Group on Combating Money-Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism (EAG); the Anti-Terrorism Centre of the Commonwealth of Independent States (ATC-CIS); the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (RATS SCO).

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[PRESS RELEASE] United Nations 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 United Nations 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 United Nations 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 United Nations 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 United Nations 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 United Nations 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 United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) at sundholm[at] un.org.

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CTED Undertakes Follow-up Assessment Visit to Kyrgyzstan

BMUSONI — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 22:29:00 +0000

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The delegation on site in Kyrgyzstan.

On behalf of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), its Executive Directorate (CTED) concluded a three-day follow-up assessment visit to Kyrgyzstan from 24 to 26 February 2016. The delegation discussed with Government authorities their implementation of different aspects of provisions of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), and 2178 (2014) relating to legal matters, international cooperation, terrorism financing, law enforcement, and border management.

Kyrgyz authorities informed the delegation about progress achieved since the initial visit by CTC in April 2012, including the important legislative amendments introduced to implement the CTC recommendations. Discussions during the visit also highlighted the outstanding technical assistance needs of Kyrgyzstan, in particular with regards to its law enforcement and border management capacities. New threats and challenges, including the foreign terrorist fighter phenomenon and terrorists’ abuse of the Internet, were also discussed. The authorities, who estimate that over 500 Kyrgyz citizens currently fight within international terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq, shared with the visiting delegation several examples of how Governmental agencies were engaged in the fight against terrorism.

“We have taken note of the efforts undertaken by the Kyrgyz authorities,” said head of the visiting delegation Mr. Seif El-Dawla, CTED Chief of Section. “The terrorist threat can only be countered with a comprehensive and integrated approach,” he emphasized.

In addition to experts from CTED, the delegation included representatives of the United Nations Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities; the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004); the Anti-Terrorism Centre of the Commonwealth of Independent States (ATC-CIS); the Eurasian Group on Combatting Money-Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism (EAG); the International Organization for Migration (IOM); the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE); and the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC/TPB).

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United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate concludes visit to the Republic of Iraq

BMUSONI — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 21:29:00 +0000

In its resolve to support Iraq’s efforts to counter terrorism and the threat posed by terrorist groups including ISIL, the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) on 21 September 2015 concluded a three-day assessment visit to the country. As requested by the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), the visit had three main objectives: to assess Iraq’s compliance with the counter-terrorism measures set forth in the relevant Security Council resolutions, including measures aimed at stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters which were adopted during the Summit of the Security Council in September 2014; to set a roadmap enumerating a set of recommendations on measures which need to be put in place by Iraq in order to counter-terrorism effectively in accordance with the relevant international best standards, codes and practices; and to identify and prioritize areas in which Iraq would benefit from receiving technical assistance in order to enhance its counter-terrorism capacities. Adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter and therefore binding on all Member States, 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, whereas resolution 2178 (2014) aims to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters.

The official mission to Iraq, which stressed the importance of a comprehensive and integrated approach to countering terrorism in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, including human rights, was undertaken through engagement with various high-level officials and meetings with experts from various Ministries, departments, and agencies. The delegation emphasized that in addition to military and law enforcement means, terrorism need to be defeated through a constructive dialogue with communities.

The visit was organized in close cooperation with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). Head of the delegation was Assistant Secretary-General Mr. Jean-Paul Laborde, Executive Director of CTED. Members of the delegation included counter-terrorism experts from CTED focusing on the necessity of an overall counter-terrorism strategy that encompasses legislation, law enforcement, and countering violent extremism.

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Counter-Terrorism Committee concludes follow-up assessment visit to the Sultanate of Oman

BMUSONI — Fri, 15 May 2015 14:07:00 +0000

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On behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), its Executive Directorate (CTED) concluded a three-day follow-up assessment visit to Sultanate of Oman on 12 May 2015. The delegation discussed with Government authorities their implementation of different aspects of provisions of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), and 2178 (2014) relating to legal matters, international cooperation, financial law and practice, law enforcement, and border management.

The Omani authorities informed the delegation about progress achieved since the initial visit by CTC in July 2009, in particular regarding the implementation of the Committee’s recommendations and keeping abreast of international best codes, standards, and practices.

The visiting delegation reiterated the importance of continuing to effectively implement all relevant Security Council resolutions in light of new terrorism trends and challenges, including the foreign terrorist fighters’ phenomenon and terrorists’ use of the Internet, while the authorities in Oman reaffirmed their commitment to continue the constructive dialogue and working with the United Nations, in particular CTC/CTED. It was emphasized that the terrorist threat, which is of a transnational nature, can only be countered with peaceful means and with a comprehensive and integrated approach, with the United Nations playing a coordinating role. The delegation also identified good practices, and discussed the facilitation of technical assistance needs.

In addition to experts from CTED, the delegation included representatives of the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC/TPB), the Middle East & North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), and INTERPOL.

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Counter-Terrorism Committee follow-up assessment visit to Uzbekistan enhances mutual understanding

BMUSONI — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 18:11:00 +0000

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At MFA reception house

On behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), its Executive Directorate (CTED) concluded a three-day follow-up assessment visit to Uzbekistan on 16 April 2015. The delegation discussed with Government authorities their implementation of different aspects of provisions of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005) and 2178 (2014) relating to legal matters, international cooperation, law enforcement, and border management.

Uzbek authorities informed about progress achieved since the initial visit by CTC in July 2009, in particular regarding the shift from pure law enforcement measures to a comprehensive approach aimed at preventing conditions conducive to terrorism, including close cooperation with local communities at the level of “mahalla” (community divisions) committees and chairs, as well as a number of legislative amendments relating to criminal proceedings.

New threats and challenges, including the foreign terrorist fighters phenomenon and terrorists’ abuse of the Internet, were also discussed. It was agreed that the terrorist threat, which is of a transnational nature, can only be countered with peaceful means and with a comprehensive and integrated approach, with the United Nations playing a coordinating role. The delegation also discussed the facilitation and delivery of technical assistance needs and capacity-building requirements that would help to meet those new challenges.

In addition to experts from CTED, the delegation also included representatives of the United Nations Security Council to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities — the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) — the Anti-Terrorism Centre of the Commonwealth of Independent States (ATC-CIS), the Eurasian Group on Combating Money-Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism (EAG), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (RATS SCO), and the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC/TPB).

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