New York / Information Office / October 09
The State of Qatar reiterated its strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, committed by whomever and wherever, and regardless of its justifications.
The State of Qatar also renewed its support for holding a high-level conference under the auspices of the United Nations, in order to adopt a unified international position on counter-terrorism, including an agreed definition of terrorism.
This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by HE Second Secretary of the Permanent Delegation of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani before Sixth (Legal) Committee of the United Nations General Assembly at its 74th Session on "Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism".
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani said that the State of Qatar will continue to work within the framework of the United Nations to reach a comprehensive agreement on international terrorism that will include a specific definition of terrorism without linking it to religion, race or culture, stressing the need to distinguish between terrorism, legitimate resistance against foreign occupation, self-defense and the right of self-determination of peoples under occupation.
HE pointed out that linking terrorism to a particular religion, creed or race provides a platform for terrorist organizations to support their extremist rhetoric and gain sympathy for their slogans.
In line with its firm policy of commitment to international cooperation in facing common challenges, particularly the fight against terrorism, and for being a party to all relevant international conventions, the State of Qatar continues to work actively with United Nations entities and with the Global Counterterrorism Forum, and has also entered into several bilateral counterterrorism agreements, HE said.
He added that Qatar is an active partner in the Global Counterterrorism Forum and it is at the forefront of regional efforts to combat the financing of terrorism, noting that it continues to update its national legislation in line with international efforts in combating terrorism.
Based on the important role of national legislative and judicial institutions in combating terrorism, the National Counter-Terrorism Committee and the National Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Committee in the State of Qatar continue to cooperate and coordinate with regional and international judicial institutions concerned with counter-terrorism, as well as the strict and effective implementation of the relevant international obligations issued by the Security Council, including assets freeze, travel ban or arms embargo against individuals and entities designated by Security Council Committees on counterterrorism, he said.
HE Second Secretary of Qatar's Permanent Delegation to the UN said that in order to support the United Nations counter-terrorism bodies and increasing the resources available to them, a partnership agreement was signed between the Government of the State of Qatar and the United Nations, represented by United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, on December 16, 2018. Under the agreement, the State of Qatar has provided $75 million over five years to support the programs and work of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in preventing and combating violent extremism that leads to terrorism and supporting victims of terrorism, he said, adding that it was also agreed on the establishment of a global center in Doha to implement behavioral visions on violent extremism, and that the State of Qatar will provide $5 million to establish and cover the work of the Center which will focus on studying the behavioral roots of violent extremism.
HE also stressed that the war on terrorism cannot justify the adoption of policies and measures that sacrifice due process and human dignity, as well as the adoption of discriminatory or repressive measures against the population, and therefore the respect for international law and human rights is essential to eradicate the roots of terrorism and to deprive terrorist organizations of pretexts that they depend on to win support.
On the other hand, he said, cooperation in the judicial and security fields is an effective way to combat the terrorist threat, pointing out that the close link between terrorism, transnational organized crime and human trafficking, intensive efforts and coordination among States are needed to dry up funding sources of such activities.
HE stressed the fundamental role of women in combating violent extremism and terrorism, underlying that this requires the involvement of women and benefiting from their experiences in the formulation relevant policies.
Terrorist organizations seek to develop their means and innovate their tools to spread their dangerous ideology, he said, adding that this requires intensified cooperation and coordination among States to develop effective measures to counter terrorism and its means of spread, and the need to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy to address the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism and the factors that lead to them. He also said that a holistic approach and an enhanced cooperation among States are needed to combat terrorism and prevent violent extremism based on the Charter of the United Nations, international law and human rights.
At the end of the statement, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani affirmed that the State of Qatar will continue its active role in combating terrorism and violent extremism, fulfilling its international obligations and cooperation with the international community and working with all UN and international institutions to eradicate the threat and roots of terrorism.