TEHRAN- Iran’s deputy ambassador to the UN has asked for convening an international conference to develop a coordinated and collaborative response against terrorism.

Speaking on behalf of the NAM (the Non-Aligned Movement) on Monday, Zahra Ershadi said terrorism should be addressed in all its manifestations and forms, including its underlying roots. 

Zahra Ershadi gave a speech on Monday at the 6th Committee of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on “Measures to eliminate international terrorism” (Agenda item 109).

In her speech at the 6th Committee of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly on “Measures to eliminate international terrorism”, the diplomat said NAM totally rejects the unilateral preparation of lists accusing states of allegedly supporting terrorism, which is inconsistent with international law and constitute on their part a form of psychological and political terrorism.

What follows is the text of her speech at the UN headquarters in New York:

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate you for your well-deserved election. Allow me to assure you of the Non-Aligned Movement’s fullest cooperation and support throughout the work of the Sixth Committee.

The Non-Aligned Movement unequivocally rejects terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as well as all acts, methods and practices of terrorism wherever, by whomever, against whomsoever committed, including those in which States are directly or indirectly involved, which are unjustifiable whatever the considerations or factors that may be invoked to justify them. All such acts are condemned as criminal. In this context, NAM members reaffirm their support for the provisions contained in General Assembly Resolution 46/51 of 9 December 1991 and other relevant United Nations resolutions.

The Non-Aligned Movement reaffirms that terrorist acts constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, in particular the right to life, leading to the lack of the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples. Such acts endanger the territorial integrity and stability of States as well as national, regional and international security, destabilize legitimately constituted governments or the prevailing constitutional order and political unity of States, affect the stability of nations and the very basis of societies, create adverse consequences on economic and social development while also leading to the destruction of the physical and economic infrastructure of States.

The NAM reiterates its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all States in accordance with the UN Charter.

We would like to stress that terrorism should not be equated with the legitimate struggle of peoples under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation, for self-determination and national liberation. The brutalization of peoples remaining under foreign occupation should continue to be denounced as the gravest form of terrorism, and the use of State power for the suppression and violence against peoples struggling against foreign occupation in exercising their inalienable right to self-determination should continue to be condemned. The Movement reaffirms its principled position under international law and in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 46/51 of 9 December 1991 as well as other relevant UN resolutions on the legitimacy of the struggles of people under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation for national liberation and self-determination.

Furthermore, terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group, and these attributions should not be used to justify terrorism or counter-terrorism measures that include, inter alia, profiling of terror suspects and intrusion on individual privacy.  

Conscious of the need to take speedy and effective measures to eliminate international terrorism, the Movement urges all States, consistent with the UN Charter, to fulfil their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law in combating terrorism, including by prosecuting or, where appropriate, extraditing the perpetrators of terrorist acts; by preventing the organization, instigation or financing of terrorist acts against other States from within or outside their territories or by organizations based in their territories; by refraining from organizing, instigating, assisting, financing or participating in terrorist acts in the territories of other States; by refraining from encouraging activities within their territories directed towards the commission of such acts; by refraining from allowing the use of their territories as sanctuaries and safe havens or for the planning, training or financing for such acts; or by refraining from supplying arms or other weapons that could be used for terrorist acts in other States.

The Non-Aligned Movement rejects actions and measures, the use or threat of use of force, imposed or threatened to be imposed, by any State against any Non-Aligned Member Country under the pretext of combating terrorism or to pursue its political aims, including by directly or indirectly categorizing them as terrorism sponsoring-States. Furthermore, the NAM totally rejects the unilateral preparation of lists accusing States of allegedly supporting terrorism, which are inconsistent with international law and constitute on their part a form of psychological and political terrorism.

The Non-Aligned Movement calls upon all States to condemn any form of, and refrain from extending, political, diplomatic, moral or material support for terrorism. The NAM urges all States, consistent with the UN Charter and in fulfilling their obligations under international law, to ensure that refugee status or any other legal status is not abused by the perpetrators, organizers or facilitators of terrorist acts and that claims of political motivation by them are not recognized as grounds for refusing requests for their extradition.

The Movement expresses grave concern over the acute and growing threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, namely, individuals who travel to a State other than their States of residence or nationality for the purpose of the perpetration, planning, preparation of or participation in terrorist acts, or providing or receiving terrorist training, including in connection with armed conflict. In this context, the Movement emphasizes the need for States to address this issue, including through the implementation of their international obligations, and underlines the importance of United Nations capacity-building and facilitation of capacity-building in accordance with existing mandates to assist States upon their request, including those in the most affected regions.

The Movement expresses deep concern over the misinterpretation and the misrepresentation of religions by terrorist groups to justify terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as well as violent extremism conducive to terrorism, all in an effort to instill hatred in the hearts and minds of the youth while justifying and glorifying brutality and violence. In this regard, it is imperative to effectively counter the narratives of terrorism through a comprehensive and international framework with an effective and comprehensive method aimed at addressing all its root causes, including through the engagement of community leaders and clerics from all denominations.

The Movement also calls upon all States to not only respect all human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism but also reaffirm their commitment in this respect to prevent human rights violations in consistency with the rule of law and their obligation under international law, in particular international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law and in accordance with relevant General Assembly resolutions. We call upon the Security Council sanctions committees to further streamline their listing and delisting procedures to strengthen due process and the rule of law through an independent, transparent and permanent position of the ombudsperson.

The Non-Aligned Movement condemns in the strongest terms terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and all terrorist acts, including those on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief, recognizing the commitment of all religions to peace, and expressed determination to condemn violent extremism conducive to terrorism and incitement to commit terrorist acts which spread hate and threaten lives, also reaffirmed that terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.

The Non-Aligned Movement reiterates its call for an International Summit Conference under the auspices of the UN to formulate a joint organized response of the international community to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including identifying its root causes.

We further reiterate the importance of the conclusion of a Comprehensive Convention for Combating International Terrorism, noting the negotiations in the Ad Hoc Committee established by General Assembly Resolution 51/210 of 17 December 1996 for the elaboration of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and the continuation of efforts to that end, including during the intersession period. In this regard, we call upon all States to cooperate in resolving outstanding issues.

The Movement reaffirms the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy as well as the Member States’ primary responsibility to execute the aforementioned Strategy and calls for its transparent and comprehensive implementation, including through cooperation with the UN Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) and the UN Centre for Counter Terrorism (UNCCT). We look forward to receiving the contributions of the UNOCT aimed towards providing more coherence and effectiveness to the activities carried out by the UN in the counter-terrorism sphere. This includes the assistance it can provide in addressing such issues upon the request of Member States’ capacity-building needs while underscoring that such assistance must be tailored to the specific needs and realities of the concerned state and that it shall take into account the centrality of national ownership.

Finally, the Member States of the Movement welcome the 8th Review of the Global Counter Terrorism Strategy in 2023.