Statement by H.E. Jaime Sergio Cerdá Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabian
Second Meeting of the United Nations Center on Counter-Terrorism Advisory Board
Thank you Mr. Chairman,
I would like to start by thanking the Chairmen for convening this important second meeting of the UNCCT Advisory Board, as well as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Government of Saudi Arabia for hosting it. I would like to assure H.R.H. Prince Saud Al Faisal and H.E. Ambassador Al-Mouallimi, that the generosity and hospitality of your country, that made it possible to be meeting in this beautiful city and at this magnificent place, does not go unnoticed by my Government.
I would also like to reiterate Argentina’s appreciation for the generous contribution and support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that led to the creation and establishment of the UNCCT as a fundamental tool in the commonly shared aim of eradicating terrorism.; as well as for the excellent presentation yesterday about Prince Muhammad bin Naif Center for Counseling and Care, as an example of “best practice”.
Last but not least, I would like to acknowledge the presence of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and thank him very sincerely for his remarks.
Messrs. Chairmen,
The Argentine Government is very pleased with the priority areas of work of the UNCCT that the Secretary General has announced. These areas coincide widely with those proposed by Argentina and that were equally highlighted by most members of the Advisory Board at its first meeting in New York on 2 April, as the topics on which the UNCCT should focus on, both in light of its limited resources and because these are topic on which the UNCCT can make a real difference in countering terrorism worldwide.
Messrs. Chairmen,
Let me now address the three topics on which the executive management is seeking the advice of the members of the Advisory Board.
First: International and regional Cooperation modalities
At the international level, Argentina prioritizes dealing with terrorism in multilateral fora, either at the United Nations or in regional organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS), or MERCOSUR with its associates of the Southern Cone.
In South America, a region with extensive territorial borders, the importance of sub-regional cooperation is deemed to be paramount. The Specialized Forum on Terrorism (FET by its Spanish acronym) of MERCOSUR, is a highly specialized and technical body which meets 4 times a year to advise the Meeting of Ministers of Interior on security matters, in a direct and confidential manner.
This and other initiatives demonstrate the early awareness on the part of Argentina and its regional partners regarding the need for greater cooperation and coordination to secure their borders and defend themselves against the scourge of terrorism.
Yet, this is not enough. Argentina considers that it is fundamental to continue strengthening cooperation between neighboring countries as well as between international, regional and sub-regional organizations, to build new alliances and projects; and that the UNCCT may be well positioned to facilitate this rapprochement, as a part of the international efforts to counter terrorism as stipulated in the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
In so doing, it is important that an integrated approach be undertaken, yet one that ensures that the primary responsibility of implementing the Strategy remains with the Member States, and that values the principles of tolerance with other cultures and religions, as promoted by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and, more recently, in the important initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on Dialogue of Religions and Cultures which laid the foundations for the creation of the “King Abdullah Center for Intercultural and Religious Dialogue” in Vienna, Austria.
Second: Capacity building
The UNCCT should be active in aiding Member States to prevent and combat terrorism, through adequate capacity building measures. As required by Member States, such measures may include giving advise on best international practices and providing technical assistance to further the work of the national authorities to develop counter-terrorism strategies, adopt legislation and identify possible solutions to the challenges they face.
In addition to providing direct capacity building to Member States, here again, the UNCCT could be instrumental in identifying the resources required to achieve the objectives, to ensure that the offer meets the demand. In this regard, Argentina supports that countries come forward with proposals for their contributions; thus providing the UNCCT with a platform for its capacity-building projects.
For instance, Argentina in 2011 amended its legislation to include and update the definitions of terrorist crimes and terrorist financing, and took other important measures regarding border control and international cooperation, in accordance with United Nations standards on terrorism as stemming from the international treaties of which Argentina is a Party. Argentina’s experience in putting its Penal Code and related criminal legislation up-to-date may be of use to other Member States wishing to strengthen the role and the capacity of their criminal justice systems to counter terrorism.
Another area in which Argentina can cooperate is maritime and airport security. Courses and workshops involving the Argentine Coast Guard and the Airport Police, together with their African counterparts, offer a unique opportunity to share experiences among countries in different regional blocks, and in this way, build global capacities on maritime security. South-South Cooperation can be a means to build State capacities to fight terrorism. Argentina is ready to cooperate with countries that are willing to address these and other areas of concern, through the Argentine Fund on South-South and Triangular Cooperation (FO.AR).
Third: Protecting human rights, including those of the victims, while countering terrorism
Argentina condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We are convinced that to combat terrorism, it is indispensable to have active participation and cooperation of the entire international community, as well as a cooperation which is organic and permanent, legally sound and based on the utmost respect of International Law, International Humanitarian Law, the International Law of Human Rights, and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
Having suffered from State terrorism, Argentina has no doubt that terrorism must be fought against within the rule of law and the respect for fundamental rights and freedoms. We do not believe that safety should be at the expense of –or used as an excuse to –impede or prevent the exercise of basic human rights, nor do we accept the idea that human rights violations should be permissible under certain circumstances.
Supporting victims of terrorism, as stipulated under Pillars I and IV of the Strategy, throughout effective frameworks and mechanisms, must –and cannot but be– part of the equation. We agree with Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon when, in the “Symposium on Supporting Victims of Terrorism” in September 2008, he stated that the construction of a global culture aimed at overcoming terrorism depends on our capacity to give a human face to this flagellum. As stated in the briefing note prepared for this meeting by the executive management of the UNCCT, the rights of the victims are central to all activities, their voices being a powerful force as a counter narrative to combat terrorism.
We agree that a victims component must be part of the national strategies and the coordinated action of the UNCCT. It is worth recalling that in resolution 64/168, the United Nations General Assembly “urge[d] relevant United Nations bodies and entities […] to step up their efforts to provide, upon request, technical assistance for building the capacity of Member States in the development and implementation of programmes of assistance and support for victims of terrorism in accordance with relevant national legislation” (OP 17). Argentina supports that the UNCCT cooperates and coordinates action with other UN structures, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in accordance with this UNGA mandate.
One among other worth supporting capacity building projects could aim at developing or improving court remedies for class actions in the case of damages that affect a large group of victims, as has been suggested by the UNODC. Among the legislation that protects the rights of victims and witnesses in general in Argentina, which off course applies to the victims of terrorist acts, Article 416 of the Argentine Code of Penal Procedure allows for collective representation/class action in cases of multiple victims sharing a common interests.
Here again Argentina, as an active actor in the promotion of human rights as a universal value having suffered directly from international terrorism, stands ready to share its experience and join the international efforts to ensure that human rights, including those of the victims of terrorism, are implemented at all levels.
Messrs. Chairmen,
I would to end by reiterating Argentina’s gratitude to the King and Government of Saudi Arabia, without whose support the establishment of the UNCCT and the convening of this very meeting may not have come to fruition.
Argentina is hopeful that this meeting with the presence of H.R.H. Prince Saud Al Faisal and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, as well as the activities of the Center, will help raise the necessary awareness regarding terrorism and the need to continue this fight, consistent with international law, including through international cooperation and the strengthening of the role of the United Nations.
Argentina hereby reiterates its support for the UNCCT and the activities that it may undertake in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Thank you very much.