Qatar Reiterates Condemnation of Terrorism

Qatar Reiterates Condemnation of Terrorism

The State of Qatar has reiterated its strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms whenever and wherever it is committed and whoever be its perpetrator and regardless of its justifications, stressing that the threat posed by terrorism to international peace and security calls for more effective cooperation between member states, and to expedite reaching a comprehensive convention on international terrorism.

This came in a statement delivered by Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ali Al Mansouri, before the United Nations Sixth Committee (Legal) at its 76th session on the item: "Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism."

The statement of the State of Qatar stressed the need for the agreement to include a specific definition of terrorism, and not to link it to a particular religion, race or culture, with the need to distinguish between terrorism and legitimate resistance to foreign occupation and self-defense, and the right to self-determination for peoples under occupation.

The statement added that the State of Qatar's policy towards combating terrorism is based on a comprehensive approach that is consistent with the four pillars of the global strategy to combat terrorism, and is in line with the State of Qatar being a distinguished partner in international efforts to combat terrorism, and its keenness to implement the obligations resulting from its accession to the relevant international instruments, and to take measures necessary to implement all international resolutions, including Security Council resolutions on combating terrorism. It referred to the State of Qatar's effective participation in international mechanisms to coordinate terrorism combating and financing efforts, in additional to bilateral cooperation with agencies related to fighting terrorism in friendly states.

The statement also referred to the State of Qatar's effective cooperation with several national authorities including the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NATC), the National Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Committee (NAMLC), the Attorney General's Office, Qatar Central Bank and others. It stressed that the State of Qatar continues its cooperation with the relevant United Nations bodies, especially the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).

In this context, the statement of the State of Qatar referred to the existing partnership between the State of Qatar and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, stressing the pride of the State of Qatar as being a major contributor to its resources, as it made a contribution of $75 million for the years 2019-2023 to support the Office's basic resources. It explained that this partnership has sought to implement pioneering projects and deliver tangible results, such as the Global Programme on Countering Terrorist Threats against Vulnerable Targets, launched in January of last year, and the Countering Terrorist Travel Programme, which is widely being turned to in order to benefit from it as it provides tangible added value to many beneficiary countries.

The State of Qatar's statement also praised the "International Hub on Behavioural Insights to Counter Terrorism" in Doha, which is affiliated to the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in Doha, that is funded by the State of Qatar, and which plays a leading role at the international level to collect and exchange experiences and support research in this field.

The statement also referred to the opening of the Programme on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism in Doha, which plays an important role in facilitating the development of legislative models on the rights of victims and extremism and other areas to activate the role of parliaments in combating terrorism and extremism.

The statement highlighted the role played by the State of Qatar in harnessing the field of sport to combat terrorism, through the International Centre for Sports Security, a Doha-based non-profit organization that works to protect major sporting events and prevent extremism conducive to terrorism through sport. It also praised the State of Qatar's extensive and multiple activities and its active role in combating terrorism.

In its statement, the State of Qatar welcomed the conduct of the seventh review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, expressing its appreciation of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism for organizing the second virtual week to combat terrorism and the second United Nations High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States last July, and for discussing the strategic and practical challenges to combating terrorism in light of the Coronavirus pandemic which is facing the world.

In conclusion, the statement reiterated the State of Qatar's commitment to continuing the cooperation with the United Nations agencies concerned with combating terrorism, member states and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, stressing the determination to continue working as an international partner to eliminate terrorism, and to work within the framework of the Sixth Committee to achieve common goals. (QNA)