1971-1991

Is characterized by the terms used in resolutions of the period, proposals for measures to
prevent terrorism.
1972-1989
In this period terrorism was considered as a general problem and was assigned primarily to the
6th committee of the general assembly under the agenda item entitled measures to prevent
international terrorism.
1993-2001
Basic considerations were human rights and terrorism and measures to eliminate international
terrorism, reflecting boarder agreement, that the existence of root cause did not justify terrorist
acts. Since then general assembly had issued numerous resolutions condemning acts of terrorism
and calling all member states to cooperate with each other to prevent and eliminate terrorism.
The efforts made in 2001, did much change in the orientation of the general assemblys counter
terrorism policy. The development is a reminder that it is the standard setting activity of the
General Assembly that has given rise to the international protocols on terrorism whose
implementation the Security Council upholds today as fundamental in the global counter
terrorism effort.

SECURITY COUNCIL AND RESOLUTIONS

Three important resolutions 1368, 1373 and 1377 were adopted by the Security Council after the
attacks on the pentagon and WTC.
The terrorist attacks on 11th September 2001 made terrorism a top priority for the Security
Council. It reacted swiftly within hours of the attacks and with determination. Two resolutions
were the key in this regard.
1. Resolution 1368 adopted on September 12th 2001
2. Resolution 1373 adopted two weeks later.

1. RESOLUTION 1368
With the passage of resolution 1368, the Security Council for the first time recognized the right
of states to individual or collective self defence in response to terrorist attacks. In other words it
recognized the right to unilateral or multilateral military response.
Resolution 1368 therefore became very important instrument if not a blank check legitimizing
the unilateral use of force in respect to terrorist attacks. The US indeed seemed to think of the
resolution 1368 as a blank check. In its letter to the UN Security council informing the latter of
its action against Al Qaeda and the Taliban as is required by Article 51 of the UN Charter that
allows for the use of force in self defence the US hinted that action might be taken against other
targets. It stated that our enquiry is in its early stages and we may find that our self defence
requires further actions with respect to other organizations and other states.
2. RESOLUTION 1373
Resolution 1373 globalizes the fight against terrorism and obliged 191 UN member states to take
far reaching domestic legislative and executive actions in order to prevent and suppress future
terrorist activities.
3. RESOLUTION 1372
This declaration stressed that terrorism was in contravention of the principles enshrined in the
UNs charter as it endangered lives and threatened the social welfare and social development of
all countries and of the globe as a whole. Furthermore it asserted that sustained and
comprehensive approach was necessary to combat terrorism.

BUILDING A GLOBAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO COUNTER

TERRORISM
The biggest achievement of the UNs system is the universal treaties and conventions against
terrorism. These treaties provide an international legal framework for suppression of terrorist acts
and the pursuit of perpetrators of terrorism as well as setting out ways to limit illicit access to
some of the means that terrorist utilize. There are total 16 universal legal instruments that is 13
instruments and 3 amendments.

These instruments specify the terrorist acts such as hijacks, hostage taking, bombing and
financing terrorism. There is no definition given by the United Nations on terrorism, however the
member states are working to conclude a comprehensive convention on international terrorism
that would aim to craft a single universally agreed definition of terrorism. Strong legal
foundations exist for countering terrorism, which is needed for all member states to become
party to the international instruments and implementation provisions.
The UN promotes ratification and implementation of the existing convention not only monitoring
implementation of the treaties by the member states but also provides legal assistance to the
countries on how to implement the provisions of treaties into domestic legislations.