Statement by India at the 26th Session of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (16 to 20 August 2021) under Item 2 iv : Negative effects of terrorism on the enjoyment of human rights delivered by

Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India

[Geneva, 17 August 2021]

 Thank You Chair,

1. India welcomes the report of the Advisory committee on the Negative effects of terrorism on the enjoyment of human rights as mandated by the HRC resolution 34/8. India appreciates the hard work put in by the drafting group established by the Advisory Committee for this study.

2. Terrorism continues to remain the foremost threat to international peace and security. Terrorism is an attack against fundamental rights of individual, such as freedom of thought, expression and association and the right to life, liberty and security. It is the duty of the States to provide security to their citizens enabling them to enjoy their basic human rights, in particular, the right to life.  

 3.The acts of terrorism not only violate the rights of individual victims, they also adversely impact on enjoyment of human rights by the families of the victims and the society. Women, children, persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities are particularly vulnerable to human rights abuses by terrorists.Further, terrorism impedes the ability of the Governments to work towards social and economic development of the people. We appreciate that the report has drawn attention to the human rights of victims of terrorism which is often ignored in the discourse about respecting human rights while countering terrorism.

4. We appreciate the recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on the need for evolving a universal definition of terrorism and conclusion of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, which will provide a strong legal basis for the global fight against terrorism. It will provide all Member States a multilateral framework to cooperate in counter terrorism, including addressing the negative effects of terrorism on economic, social and cultural rights.  

5. Preventing terrorists from accessing financial resources and combating financing of terrorism is crucial to successfully countering the threat of terrorism. We have also witnessed direct linkages between terrorism and transnational organized crime. Over the years, terrorist groups have developed a diversified funding portfolio through a range of criminal activities, including extortion, kidnapping, money laundering, drug smuggling, and trafficking of natural resources, humans, and antiquities. Moreover, some States have been aiding and supporting terrorism, and willfully provide financial assistance and safe havens.

6. With the emergence of new technologies and uncharted frontiers, our challenges in identifying new terrorist trends, mapping links between terrorists and criminal groups, and sharing information more effectively, are growing. The ‘Christchurch call for Action’ to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online, which we have endorsed, is an important effort to counter dissemination of such content online.

Mr. Chair,

7. For the UN system to credibly address the menace of terrorism and ensure effective action, I would like to recall the eight point action plan proposed by India’s External Affairs Minister atthe Ministerial meeting on 20th Anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1373 (2020) and the establishment of the Counter Terrorism Committee. He had called for and I reiterate: i) Summon the political will. Don’t justify terrorism. Don’t glorify terrorists; ii) No double standards. Terrorists are terrorists. No good or bad distinction needed; iii) Don’t place block and holds on listing without any reason; iv) Discourage exclusivist thinking; v) Enlist and delist objectively, not on political or religious considerations; vi) recognize the linkage to organized crime; vii) support and strengthen the FATF; and viii) provide greater funding to UN Counter Terrorism Directorate.

I thank you Mr. Chair.

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