UNSC meet on Counterterrorism

UNSC meet on Counterterrorism

News: India will host diplomats and officials from all 15 countries of the United Nations Security Council, including China, Russia and the United States, for a special meeting on terrorism, in Delhi and Mumbai in October.

How is the meeting likely to help Indian cause?
• India is expected to highlight cross-border threats from Pakistan and Afghanistan at the meeting, which will come two months before India completes its tenure as an elected member of the UNSC (2021-22).
• In addition, India has been pushing for the UN members to adopt a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (first proposed in 1996), which is likely to be raised during the meeting. (India had proposed the initiative)
• The event will showcase India’s role as a victim of terrorism as well as a country at the forefront of global counter-terrorism efforts.
• They said the CTC meeting in India could also pave the way for a possible visit to New York by the Prime Minister in December, where India will be the President of the UNSC for the entire month.

What is Comprehensive convention on International terrorism?
• It calls for universal definition of terrorism. It does not like to differentiate based on good terrorist and bad terrorist.
• Ban an all groups regardless of country of operation, cut off access to fund and safe havens.
• Prosecution of all groups, including cross-border groups.
• Amending domestic laws to make cross-border terror an extraditable offence.

Why has CCIT been blocked?
• According to US and Allies they are concerned over definition of terrorism, including acts done by US soldiers in international interventions without UN mandate.
• According to Latin American countries they are concerned over international humanitarian laws and human rights being ignored.
• OIC – Concerned that the convention will be used to target Pakistan and restrict rights of self- determination groups in Palestine.