[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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Security Council - Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) - Kabul

[PRESS RELEASE] United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate visits the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan