Author: Rajnath Singh
Publication: Vijayvaani.com
Date: October 9, 2010
URL: http://www.vijayvaani.com/FrmPublicDisplayArticle.aspx?id=1444
Madam Chairperson,
I will deliver my statement in Hindi. Not
only is Hindi our national language, but it is also one of the five most spoken
languages and is the nearest sister of Sanskrit, one of the oldest spoken
languages of the world, whose literature has given us the concept of 'Vasudev
Kutumbkam', the entire world is one family. I am following the tradition of
my leader and former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was the
first Indian Foreign Minister to give a speech in Hindi at the UN in 1978.
I hope that UN will also make Hindi one of
its official languages in the near future in order to acknowledge the aspirations
of largest democracy of the world in true sense….
I thank the Secretary General for his annual
report on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism which contains important
and valuable information about the measures taken by States at the national
level as well as by the UN system and other international organizations for
the prevention and suppression of international terrorism…
Madam Chairperson, India attaches highest
importance to the agenda item relating to "Measures to Eliminate International
Terrorism" presently under consideration before this Committee. Terrorism
is a crime against humanity. It is the most vicious amongst international
crimes. It affects us all equally. It is a scourge that open democratic societies
have to contend with and the challenge is to maintain our openness, safeguard
individual rights, and at the same time, give no quarter to terrorists. The
international community therefore needs to marshal all its efforts and resources
to combat this scourge.
As you are aware, India has been a victim
of terrorism for decades. The people of India continue to pay a heavy price
in our fight against terrorism. The haunting memories of horrific terrorist
attacks in Mumbai in the year 2008, which was planned and executed from across
the border, and witnessed by the whole world on television, are still alive.
We are determined to confront these challenges unshakably and decisively.
Madam Chairperson, We align with the statement
made by Iran on behalf of NAM. No cause could ever justify the indiscriminate
killing of innocent peoples. Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke
a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular
persons for whatever purposes, wherever, by whomever, against whomever committed,
are in any circumstances unjustifiable, whatever the considerations or factors
that may be invoked to justify them.
The Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International
Terrorism adopted by UNGA Resolution 49/60 condemns international terrorism
in all its forms and manifestations. The Declaration also unequivocally condemns
all acts, methods and practices of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable,
whenever and by whoever committed. States are also obliged to refrain from
organizing, acquiescing in or encouraging activities within their territories
directed towards the commission of such acts. States are also obliged to ensure
that their territories are not used for terrorist installations or training
camps or for the preparation or organization of terrorist acts intended to
be committed against other States or their citizens. If this happens, then
the UNGA or the Security Council must take strong action.
Madam Chairperson, Terrorism poses a grave
threat to all States and all societies. It undermines peace, democracy and
freedom thus endangering the very foundations of the continued existence of
democratic societies. Terrorism is a global threat and requires a coordinated
and concerted global response to combat it. In this context in addition to
the urgent need to conclude and adopt the draft Comprehensive Convention on
International Terrorism, we support the recent second review of the Global
Counter Terrorism Strategy and the institutionalization of the CTITF.
Madam Chairperson, At the National level we
have taken many steps to strengthen international cooperation in combating
terrorism. Apart from strengthening our strategic and operational framework
to combat terrorism effectively, we have also amended and strengthened our
national legislation entitled Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 by
integrating in it a mechanism for the effective enforcement of the measures
adopted by the 1267 Committee against designated individuals and entities.
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act incorporates provisions that deal
with all aspects of terrorism including incitement. The Act also criminalizes
raising of funds for terrorist activities, holding of proceeds of terrorism,
harbouring of terrorists, unauthorized possession of any bomb, dynamite or
hazardous explosive substance or other lethal weapon or substance capable
of mass destruction or biological or chemical substance of warfare.
We have concluded bilateral treaties with
many countries in the areas of combating terrorism, organized crime, money
laundering, terrorist financing and illicit drug trafficking. We also have
in place treaties on extradition and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters
to further strengthen and enhance international cooperation efforts in this
regard. These treaties facilitate transfer of fugitive offenders and suspected
terrorists to stand trial in the State in which the offence is committed and
in their effective prosecution. These treaties also facilitate exchange of
operational information and development of joint programs among concerned
States.
At the international level, India has become
party to 13 sectoral conventions on terrorism that have been adopted under
the auspices of the United Nations. In relation to a specific activity, these
conventions remain fundamental tools in the fight against terrorism. India
has also become an active member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
We have always fulfilled our obligations under international and regional
conventions and relevant Security Council resolutions on international terrorism.
Madam Chairperson, Now coming to the draft
Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism, I am happy to note
that the Ad-Hoc Committee that met in April this year witnessed some forward
momentum as some delegations have shown better understanding and flexibility.
Reflecting on the general sense of the debate that time, the Chairman of the
Ad-Hoc Committee also advised delegations, and subsequently made a personal
appeal to the Legal Advisers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to come prepared
to take necessary decisions and move forward.
During the General Debate in the 65th Session
of the General Assembly last month, many States have reiterated their support
for the successful and early adoption of the draft CCIT. The Secretary General's
report on the review of the Global Counter Terrorism Strategy is very important.
The Secretary General very aptly pointed out in paragraph 139 of his report
that "the comprehensiveness of implementing the Strategy will not be
complete without the conclusion of the comprehensive convention on international
terrorism. As committed in the Strategy, Member States should make every effort
to reach an agreement on the text and conclude the convention in order to
unite behind the global counter-terrorism efforts. The recent Security Council
Presidential statement also encourages Member States to make every effort
to conclude the negotiations of the draft Comprehensive Convention on International
Terrorism.
Madam Chairperson, All these appeals and expectations
expressed at various levels only remind us that we have already lost invaluable
time in taking a concrete decision on this important issue and that the international
community cannot afford to wait any longer at a time when there is the most
urgent need to show solidarity and collective global action against international
terrorism and to send a clear message that terrorism cannot be tolerated in
any form or manifestation for whatever cause.
Madam Chairperson, The negotiations over the
years have by and large got a near full text of the proposed Convention with
general agreement. There remain just a few outstanding issues in Article 18.
We look forward to the Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee to guide us in agreeing
to a full text that can be recommended by us for adoption in this Session
itself. We would also strongly urge delegations to show flexibility and reach
a common understanding on the text so that we can move forward and fulfill
the expectations of the Secretary General, the Security Council, and of the
international community as a whole.
I have full confidence that we will eventually
succeed in our struggle against terrorism. There is a need to address terrorism
not only at the governmental or political levels but also at the intellectual
level. The mindset of attaining goals through violent means will have to be
changed. Towards this end, there is a need to raise awareness in the society
about the thoughts of eminent personalities like Martin Luther King and Mahatma
Gandhi. With our thousands of years of tradition of harmonizing divergent
streams of thoughts, culture of non-violence and non-aggression, India could
make significant contribution in the fight against terrorism not only at the
political level but also at the intellectual level.
Thank you, Madam Chairperson.
- [Excerpts from the speech by Mr Rajnath
Singh, former BJP president, at the UN General Assembly on 7 Oct. 2010]
