What is United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy?
Historical Background
Key Points
12 points- 1.
The strategy's first pillar focuses on addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. This means tackling issues like poverty, lack of education, prolonged unresolved conflicts, and human rights violations. For example, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) runs projects in various countries aimed at providing education and economic opportunities to marginalized communities, reducing their vulnerability to extremist ideologies.
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The second pillar emphasizes preventing and combating terrorism. This involves measures like strengthening border controls, improving information sharing among countries, and disrupting terrorist financing networks. Interpol, for instance, plays a crucial role in facilitating cross-border law enforcement cooperation to track and apprehend terrorists.
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The third pillar aims at building states' capacity and strengthening the role of the UN system. This includes providing technical assistance and training to countries to enhance their counter-terrorism capabilities. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) offers training programs to law enforcement officials in developing countries on investigating and prosecuting terrorism cases.
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The fourth pillar focuses on ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law as the basis for counter-terrorism. This means that all counter-terrorism measures must comply with international human rights law. For example, the UN Human Rights Office monitors and reports on human rights violations committed in the name of counter-terrorism.
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A key aspect of the strategy is its emphasis on a 'whole-of-society' approach. This means that countering terrorism requires the involvement of not just governments, but also civil society organizations, the private sector, and individuals. For example, community-based programs can play a vital role in preventing radicalization by promoting tolerance and understanding.
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The strategy recognizes the importance of international cooperation in countering terrorism. This includes sharing information, coordinating law enforcement efforts, and providing mutual legal assistance. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body that sets standards and promotes effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
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The strategy calls for addressing the specific needs of victims of terrorism. This includes providing them with access to justice, support services, and reparations. Many countries have established national funds to compensate victims of terrorist attacks.
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The strategy emphasizes the importance of education and awareness-raising in countering terrorism. This includes promoting critical thinking skills and challenging extremist narratives. UNESCO, for example, runs programs aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding.
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The strategy acknowledges the role of the internet and social media in the spread of terrorism. It calls for measures to counter terrorist propaganda online while respecting freedom of expression. Tech companies are increasingly working with governments to remove terrorist content from their platforms.
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The UN General Assembly reviews the strategy every two years. These reviews provide an opportunity to assess progress, identify gaps, and adapt the strategy to emerging threats. The reviews typically result in a resolution reaffirming the strategy and outlining priorities for future action. These reviews are important because they keep the strategy relevant and responsive to the evolving terrorist landscape.
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The strategy explicitly states that counter-terrorism measures should not be used to suppress legitimate dissent or human rights advocacy. This is crucial to prevent governments from using counter-terrorism as a pretext for cracking down on political opposition.
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The strategy recognizes the importance of addressing the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity. This requires a long-term, holistic approach that goes beyond purely security-based measures. For example, investing in education and job creation can help to reduce the appeal of extremist ideologies.
Visual Insights
Understanding UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
Mind map illustrating the key pillars and aspects of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
- ●Pillar 1: Addressing Conditions
- ●Pillar 2: Preventing and Combating
- ●Pillar 3: Building Capacity
- ●Pillar 4: Human Rights and Rule of Law
Recent Developments
7 developmentsIn 2021, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution reaffirming the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach to counter-terrorism.
In 2022, the UN launched a new initiative to support member states in implementing the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, focusing on addressing the root causes of terrorism and preventing violent extremism.
In 2023, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2617, which renewed the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and emphasized the importance of addressing the evolving terrorist threat.
In 2024, the UN Secretary-General released a report on the implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, highlighting progress made and challenges remaining.
The rise of ISIS-K (Islamic State Khorasan Province) in Afghanistan has presented a significant challenge to the implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, requiring a renewed focus on addressing the terrorist threat in the region. The recent strikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan, targeting alleged militant hideouts, underscore the complexities of counter-terrorism efforts in the region and the challenges of cross-border cooperation.
The increasing use of technology by terrorist groups, including social media and encrypted communication platforms, has prompted calls for enhanced international cooperation to counter terrorist propaganda and recruitment online.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities to terrorism, such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, requiring a more integrated approach to addressing the root causes of terrorism.
This Concept in News
1 topicsFrequently Asked Questions
61. The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy focuses on 'conditions conducive to terrorism.' What exactly does this mean, and why is it a potential MCQ trap?
This refers to addressing the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty, lack of education, prolonged unresolved conflicts, and human rights violations. The trap lies in MCQs offering options that focus *solely* on direct counter-terrorism measures (military action, intelligence gathering) while omitting these underlying conditions. The correct answer will include both direct action and addressing root causes, as the Strategy emphasizes a comprehensive approach.
Exam Tip
Remember: 'Conditions conducive' = root causes. If an MCQ only mentions immediate responses to terrorist acts, it's likely the WRONG answer.
2. How does the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy differ from binding international treaties on terrorism, and why is this distinction important for the UPSC exam?
The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is a non-binding resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly. This means that while it represents a global consensus, member states are not legally obligated to implement it. Binding treaties, on the other hand, create legal obligations for states that ratify them. UPSC often tests this distinction to assess your understanding of the nuances of international law and diplomacy. Failing to recognize this difference can lead to incorrect answers in MCQs or poorly structured Mains answers.
Exam Tip
Remember: Strategy = non-binding resolution. Treaty = legally binding.
3. The Strategy emphasizes a 'whole-of-society' approach. Can you give a concrete example of how this works in practice, and what are its limitations?
A concrete example is community-based programs aimed at preventing radicalization. These programs involve local leaders, religious figures, and civil society organizations in promoting tolerance and understanding, identifying individuals at risk, and providing them with support. Limitations include the potential for government overreach, the difficulty of measuring the effectiveness of such programs, and the risk of alienating communities if they perceive the programs as intrusive or discriminatory. For instance, some programs have been criticized for disproportionately targeting specific ethnic or religious groups.
4. What is the role of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in the context of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and why is this relevant for India?
The FATF sets standards and promotes the effective implementation of legal, regulatory, and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats. Under the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, disrupting terrorist financing is a key pillar. India's compliance with FATF standards is crucial for maintaining its credibility in the international community, attracting foreign investment, and preventing its financial system from being used to support terrorism. Any adverse FATF assessment can negatively impact India's economy and international standing.
5. Critics argue that the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is too broad and lacks specific enforcement mechanisms. What is the strongest argument supporting this view, and how could the Strategy be made more effective?
The strongest argument is that the Strategy's non-binding nature allows states to selectively implement its provisions, or ignore them altogether, especially when they conflict with national interests or political considerations. This leads to inconsistent application and undermines its overall effectiveness. To make the Strategy more effective, consider these points: answerPoints: * Establishing a stronger monitoring and evaluation mechanism to track member states' progress in implementing the Strategy. * Developing more specific and measurable targets for each pillar of the Strategy. * Providing increased technical assistance and capacity-building support to countries that lack the resources to fully implement the Strategy. * Exploring the possibility of incorporating some of the Strategy's key provisions into binding international law.
6. How has the rise of ISIS-K (Islamic State Khorasan Province) impacted the implementation and relevance of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, particularly in the context of Afghanistan and surrounding regions?
The rise of ISIS-K has presented a significant challenge, requiring a renewed focus on addressing the terrorist threat in Afghanistan and surrounding regions. It highlights the Strategy's emphasis on addressing conditions conducive to terrorism, as instability, poverty, and lack of governance in Afghanistan provide fertile ground for ISIS-K recruitment and operations. The Strategy's call for international cooperation is also crucial, as countering ISIS-K requires coordinated efforts among regional and international actors. The recent strikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan, targeting alleged militant hideouts, underscore the complexities of cross-border cooperation and the challenges of implementing the Strategy in volatile environments. The situation also tests the Strategy's pillar on respecting human rights, as counter-terrorism measures must be balanced with the protection of civilians and the prevention of human rights abuses.
Source Topic
Pakistan conducts border strikes in Afghanistan, targeting militant hideouts
International RelationsUPSC Relevance
The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is highly relevant for the UPSC exam, particularly for GS Paper 2 (International Relations) and GS Paper 3 (Security). Questions often focus on India's role in global counter-terrorism efforts, the challenges of cross-border terrorism, and the impact of terrorism on regional stability. In Prelims, expect questions on the four pillars of the strategy and related UN bodies.
In Mains, you might be asked to analyze the effectiveness of the strategy or suggest ways to improve international cooperation on counter-terrorism. Recent years have seen questions on the role of FATF and the impact of terrorism on India's internal security. When answering, focus on a balanced approach, highlighting both the successes and limitations of the strategy.