Security Council unanimously adopts historic resolution on countering terrorist threats to civil aviation

The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2309 (2016) on 22 September 2016, for the first time in history, on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. The Council called on States to work within the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure that its international security standards are reviewed and adapted to effectively address the threat posed by terrorist targeting of civil aviation.

The Security Council called on Member states to strengthen and promote the effective application of ICAO standards and recommended practices, and to assist ICAO in continuing to enhance audit, capacity development and training programmes in order to support their implementation. In addition, States are encouraged to strengthen their international and regional cooperation to boost information-sharing, border control, law enforcement and criminal justice to better counter the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) and returnees.

The Security Council resolution called for continued cooperation between ICAO and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate on identifying gaps and vulnerabilities relevant to aviation security.

New framework for enhanced cooperation between CSTO and UN CTED

On 21 September 2016, the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), Mr. Jean-Paul Laborde, and the Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Mr. Nikolai Bordyuzha, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Establishing a strategic framework of cooperation between the two entities, this agreement provides, in particular, for enhanced information exchange on counter-terrorism and refers to the CSTO as a potential implementing partner for technical assistance recommended by the Counter-Terrorism Committee to CSTO Member States.

The Secretary General took the opportunity to brief the Executive Director about the latest trends with regard to the terrorist threat in CSTO Member States, as well as in terms of tools developed by CSTO to address these trends, including for example a unified CSTO list of terrorist and extremist organizations, a harmonized counter-terrorism legislative framework, and special training exercises for military and special forces.

Mr Laborde expressed his willingness to rely on CSTO expertise in the region, especially with regards to supporting the counter-terrorism capacities of Member States in Central Asia, including those related to border security.

Counter-Terrorism Committee open briefing underscores need for timely national efforts in countering foreign terrorist fighters

On 22 July 2016, the Counter-Terrorism Committee held an open briefing on Member States’ implementation of Security Council resolution 2178 (2014), on stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters (FTF). The open briefing was attended by representatives of Member States, international and regional organizations, and civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

During the meeting, experts of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) briefed Member states on three regionally focused dialogues on States affected by FTFs, held by the Committee in June and July 2016. Discussions also focused on Member States’ efforts to implement the Committee’s recommendations on the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters who return to their countries of origin or other States.

Those recommendations include utilizing the Madrid Guiding Principles on the implementation of resolution 2178 (2014), which aim to facilitate a holistic, forward-looking approach to the implementation of flexible prosecution strategies, combined with appropriate alternatives to prosecution.

Administrative measures and reintegration and rehabilitation programmes can be utilized, provided that they are used in a manner compliant with international human rights law and are subject to effective review.

CTED encourages Member States to update the Committee on current practices and measures employed to tackle the FTF threat.

CTED meets with Member States on the margins of the UN General Assembly

On the margins of the 71^st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), Jean-Paul Laborde, engaged with representatives of a number of Member States.

On 20 September 2016, Executive Director Laborde met with Ambassador Levent Murat Burhan, Deputy Undersecretary with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. In their bilateral meeting, which took place prior to the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum’s (GCTF) Ministerial meeting, the Ambassador and the Executive Director exchanged views on the latest developments in terms of emerging threats and developments in the field of terrorism, as well as ways to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation on technical assistance related matters.

Later the same day, Mr. Laborde encountered Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Director in charge of UN Affairs, international organizations, human rights, and la francophonie with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France. Their discussion focused on France’s new anti-radicalisation strategy (PACT), a multi-disciplinary initiative, and the opening of a new reintegration and citizenship centre. Their interaction also touched upon ways in which France could support the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate, particularly with respect to facilitating technical assistance to West Africa.

On 23 September 2016, Mr. Laborde met with the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani. Their discussions were a follow-up to the joint meeting that was held by the OIC and CTED in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2013 to address measures on countering incitement and enhancing cultural dialogue in light of Security Council resolution 1624.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and CTED agreed to double-up efforts and plan to have a meeting in Jeddah in early 2017 to address the evolving threats by ISIL and foreign terrorist fighters particularly following Security Council resolutions 2178 on stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters (FTF); Security Council resolution 2253 which expanded the sanctions framework to include ISIL and suppress terrorist financing; and the President of the Security Council Statement of 6 May 2016 on counter-narratives of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT).

The OIC is currently working to institutionalize a unit that will deal exclusively with counter-terrorism matters.

On 27 September 2016, Deputy Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Mr. Abdusalam Omer.

Their discussion focused on the current terrorist threats in Somalia, including the increasing number of foreign terrorist fighters (FTF). The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Somalia stressed that rehabilitation programs for returning FTFs are a priority for his Government. Enhanced international support and good practices are necessary for Somalia during its fight against terrorist organizations.