Counter-Terrorism Committee holds second informal meeting on counter-terrorism technical assistance needs for Iraq

BMUSONI — Wed, 31 May 2017 16:13:00 +0000

On 31 May 2017, the Counter-Terrorism Committee held a second informal meeting on the counter-terrorism-related technical assistance needs of the Republic of Iraq. The aim of the meeting was to follow-up with implementing partners and Iraqi officials on progress achieved since the first informal, held in March 2016, which focused on the 16 priority technical assistance needs identified during the Executive Directorate’s (CTED) visit to Iraq on behalf of the Committee.

The meeting gathered Members of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, representatives of Iraq and over a dozen other Member States, as well as UN entities and international and regional organizations, including the 1267 Committee Monitoring Team, ICAO, UNMAS, UNODC, UN Women, the IMF, the World Bank, the European Union, NATO, and the Global Center on Cooperative Security.

Chairman of the Committee, H.E. Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta, highlighted the importance of cooperation in order to achieve tangible results and to counter terrorism in all its forms. “The presence of Da’esh, Al-Qaida, and other terrorist groups continues to test the limits of Iraq’s resources, as the authorities struggle to prevent acts of terrorism; to investigate attacks and prosecute alleged perpetrators; and cooperate with regional and international partners, particularly on matters relating to foreign terrorist fighters. The support of the international community thus remains crucial,” Ambassador Aboulatta said.

In the meeting, all implementing partners voiced their endorsement of the Counter-Terrorism Committee assessment on priority counter-terrorism related technical assistance needs for Iraq, and outlined how they are putting these to good use in the planning and implementation of their assistance.

“I wish to command Iraq for all their efforts in countering the threat posed by Dae’sh and being amongst those in the forefront in fighting this terrorist group. Indeed, Iraq has introduced a number of measures to enhance its legislative and law enforcement framework in line with the international best codes and standards on counter-terrorism. Still, much work remains to be done and Iraq needs our support, stressed the Executive Director of CTED, Mr. Jean-Paul Laborde, in his closing remarks. He further noted that Da’esh has been increasingly resorting to the use of civilians as human shields: “Here, I wish once again to pay my deepest respects to Iraqi citizens who have sacrificed their lives in fighting for a free, united Iraq. Their sacrifice must never be forgotten.”

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CTED conducts follow-up visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina

BMUSONI — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 06:02:00 +0000

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On behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, CTED conducted a three-day follow-up visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 18 to 20 April 2017, to discuss its progress in implementing Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005) and Council resolution 2178 (2014), on stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs).

The discussions with the Government focused on legislation and judicial practice, counter-financing of terrorism, law enforcement, border control, international cooperation, countering violent extremism that leads to terrorism, the role of women in countering terrorism and violent extremism, and the need for rule-of-law-based responses to terrorism.

The delegation welcomed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Strategy for Preventing and Combating Terrorism (2015-2020), including its Framework Action Plan (adopted by the Council of Ministers in October 2016) and discussed with the Government ways to ensure their effective implementation.

The delegation also visited Sarajevo International Airport to assess border-control and border-management measures, including measures to stem the FTF flow.

The Government noted that its measures had significantly reduced the number of travellers leaving Bosnia and Herzegovina for conflict zones in Syria and Iraq.

Bosnia and Herzegovina reaffirmed its strong commitment to countering terrorism in all its aspects, including FTFs and returnees, the links between terrorism and transnational organized crime (including illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons and human beings), and abuse of the Internet and social media for terrorist purposes.

The delegation was also informed about measures taken to prevent radicalization and strengthen international and regional cooperation.

In addition to CTED experts, the delegation included representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and UN Women.

The delegation also met bilaterally with technical assistance providers and implementing partners.

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Security Council - Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) - UN Women

Counter-Terrorism Committee holds second informal meeting on counter-terrorism technical assistance needs for Iraq

CTED conducts follow-up visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina

bosnia-visit.jpg