NCJ Number
210525
Date Published
March 2005
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This background paper for a workshop at the 11th United Nations (U.N.) Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (held April 18-25, 2005, in Bangkok) reviews the role of international law and international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Abstract
Terrorism's use of unfettered and unprincipled violence assaults the civilized principles of law, order, human rights, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. It is thus an assault on all nations that aspire to these principles, which includes the U.N. member states and the institution of the United Nations itself. In attempting to lead the international fight against terrorism, the U.N. Secretary-General, in a statement to the U.N. Counter-Terrorism Committee, emphasized that an international program to combat terrorism must be based in a firm commitment to upholding the rule of law in responding to terrorist acts and terrorist groups. Effective international cooperation thus requires a network of national legislation and an international network of cooperation that protect human rights and ensure justice while denying safe haven to those who finance, plan, support, or commit terrorist acts; ensuring that any person who participates in the financing, planning, preparation, or perpetration of terrorist acts is brought to justice; and ensuring that all terrorist acts are made serious criminal offenses in domestic laws and regulations. This paper concludes with suggestions for internationally sponsored technical assistance for capacity-building against terrorism and offers recommendations for the 11th Congress to consider in its discussions of terrorism. 24 notes and appended guidelines for technical assistance to combat terrorism