Photo: Meeting between Georgian authorities and the visiting CTED delegation.
Photo credit: Courtesy of the State Security Service of Georgia.
The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), acting on behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, conducted a visit to Georgia from 16 to 18 July 2018. This was in follow-up to the Committee’s initial visit of September 2007 and focused on progress made by Georgia in implementing the Committee’s 2007 visit recommendations, as well as on measures introduced to implement Security Council resolutions 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), and other relevant Council resolutions.
The discussions concentrated in part on threats relating to the return and relocation of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) to Georgia.
Georgia stated that radicalization on its territory had fallen significantly since 2016, largely owing to measures introduced by the Government, including the delivery of awareness-raising and counter-messaging campaigns to potentially vulnerable population groups. Georgia was also among the first countries to explicitly criminalize FTF travel back in 2015.
The Government noted its awareness of other global terrorist threats, including the activities of small terrorist cells and lone actors, and the abuse of information and communications technologies (ICT) for terrorist recruitment and propaganda purposes.
Georgia cooperates actively with other Member States to prevent attacks and protect against possible threats.
Mr. Ahmed Seif El-Dawla, CTED Chief of Section, commended Georgia for its proactive engagement in dialogue with the United Nations and other international partners on countering terrorism. He also encouraged the Government to finalize the development of Georgia’s draft national comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategy, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions.
The Deputy Head of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) emphasized that countering the constantly evolving methods used by terrorists would require strengthened international cooperation, including joint operations and timely information exchange.
Under the auspices of SSSG, representatives of a wide variety of national ministries and agencies took part in the three-day discussions, reflecting Georgia’s cohesive approach to counter-terrorism. The visiting delegation also noted a number of effective mechanisms aimed at ensuring inter-agency cooperation.
With respect to measures aimed at countering violent extremism, CTED welcomed Georgia’s efforts to ensure comprehensive integration of ethnic minorities, refugees and asylum seekers, as well as other foreign or stateless persons.
The visiting delegation included CTED experts, as well as representatives of the Expert Group of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), the International Criminal Police Organization, the International Maritime Organization, the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and UN Women.