Delhi Declaration seeks zero tolerance towards terrorism

Delhi Declaration seeks zero tolerance towards terrorism

Subject :International Convention/ agreement

Context: The UN Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) on Saturday urged all the UN member states to ensure “zero tolerance towards terrorism”, to deny terrorists access to safe havens and bring to justice all persons supporting or planning terror attacks.

Concept:

• The recommendations were a key part of the Delhi Declaration adopted at the conclusion of a special meeting of the CTC hosted by India.
• Theme: Countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.
• It was only the eighth time that the UN panel has met outside its headquarters in New York.
• The CTC decided to work on recommendations made at the special meeting on three themes — countering terrorist use of ICT and emerging technologies, threats from new payment technologies and fund-raising methods, and threats posed by misuse of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) by terrorists.
• The committee said this work should be done while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

UNSC-Counter Terrorism Committee

• It was established by Security Council resolution 1373 which was adopted unanimously on 28th September 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks in the US.
• The Committee comprises all 15 Security Council member.
• Five permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
• The Committee was tasked with monitoring implementation of resolution 1373 which requested countries to implement a number of measures aimed at enhancing their legal and institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at home and around the world.
• This includes taking steps to criminalize the financing of terrorism, freezing any funds related to persons involved in acts of terrorism, deny all forms of financial support for terrorist groups, suppress the provision of safe haven, sustenance or support for terrorists and share information with other governments on any groups practicing or planning terrorist acts.