Security Council adopts anti-terror initiative

The United Nations Security Council Heads of State and Government unanimously adopted resolutions on Wednesday, calling on all states to reinforce the battle against terrorism and to strengthen the council’s role in preventing conflicts.

In Council Resolution 1624, the leaders condemned “in the strongest terms all acts of terrorism irrespective of their motivation, whenever and by whomsoever committed, as one of the most serious threats to peace and security” and reaffirmed “the imperative to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.”

They called upon all states to adopt all necessary measures, including prohibiting by law incitement to commit terrorist acts, denying safe haven to anyone thus involved, and cooperation to strengthen the security of international borders and combat fraudulent travel documents.

The resolution also calls upon all states to continue international efforts to enhance dialogue and broaden understanding among civilisations in an effort to prevent indiscriminate targeting of different religions and cultures and to ensure that measures taken comply with all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, refugee law, and humanitarian law.

In Council Resolution 1625 on conflict prevention, the leaders called for a raft of measures ranging from initiatives for preventive-diplomacy and regional mediation, and the enhancement of early warning of potential conflict, to promoting the fairness and transparency of electoral processes and taking action against illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural resources, the AKI reports.