The UN has published a draft document it hopes world leaders will sign at a summit in September in New York. Among the proposals are a number of clauses dealing with terrorism, including a definition of the term.
- We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as it constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
We welcome the secretary general's counter-terrorism strategy and will consider it in the general assembly with a view to adopting it.
We affirm that the targeting and deliberate killing of civilians and non-combatants cannot be justified or legitimised by any cause or grievance, and we declare that any action intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants, when the purpose of such an act, by its nature or context, is to intimidate a population or to compel a government or an international organisation to carry out or to abstain from any act cannot be justified on any grounds and constitutes an act of terrorism.
- We resolve to conclude a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, including a legal definition of terrorism, during the 60th session of the general assembly.
- We recognise that international co-operation to fight terrorism should be conducted in conformity with international law, including the United Nations charter and relevant international conventions and protocols. States should adhere to the principles of good governance, respect for human rights, and the rule of law in the fight against terrorism.
- We acknowledge the important role played by the United Nations in combating terrorism and also stress the vital contribution of regional and bilateral co-operation, particularly at the practical level of law enforcement cooperation and technical exchange.
- We urge the international community, including the United Nations, to assist states in building regional and national capacity to fight terrorism. We further invite the secretary general to strengthen continuously, in consultation with the general assembly and the security council, the capacities of the United Nations, its relevant funds, programmes and specialised and related agencies, to assist states in these endeavours.
- We commit to assist victims of terrorism around the world and to provide them and their families with support to cope with their loss and their grief.
- We call on the Security Council to consider ways to strengthen the verification, monitoring and enforcement by the council in its role in counter-terrorism, and streamline its counter-terrorism subsidiary bodies, including by consolidating states' reporting requirements.
- We support the early entry into force of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, and strongly encourage states which have not yet become a party to it, do so and to accede to the 12 other international conventions and protocols against terrorism without further delay and fully implement them.
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