United Nations Security Council Resolution 2129 – Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts

Resolution 2129 (2013)

The Security Council,

Reaffirming that terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever and by whomsoever committed and remaining determined to contribute further to enhancing the effectiveness of the overall effort to fight this scourge on a global level,

Noting with concern that terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to international peace and security, the enjoyment of human rights, the social and economic development of all Member States, and undermines global stability and prosperity, that this threat has become more diffuse, with an increase, in various regions of the world, of terrorist acts including those motivated by intolerance or extremism, expressing its determination to combat this threat, and stressing the need to ensure that counter-terrorism remains a priority on the international agenda,

Recognizing that terrorism will not be defeated by military force, law enforcement measures, and intelligence operations alone, and underlining the need to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, as outlined in Pillar I of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/RES/60/288) including, but not limited to, the need to strengthen efforts for the successful prevention and peaceful resolution of prolonged conflict, and the need to promote the rule of law, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, good governance, tolerance, inclusiveness to offer a viable alternative to those who could be susceptible to terrorist recruitment and to radicalization leading to violence,

Recognizing that development, security, and human rights are mutually reinforcing and are vital to an effective and comprehensive approach to countering terrorism, and underlining that a particular goal of counter-terrorism strategies should be to ensure sustainable peace and security,

Reaffirming that Member States must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and international humanitarian law, and underscoring that effective counter-terrorism measures and respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law are complementary and mutually reinforcing, and are an essential part of a successful counter-terrorism effort, and notes the importance of respect for the rule of law so as to effectively prevent and combat terrorism,

Reaffirming also that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or group,

Emphasizing that continuing international efforts to enhance dialogue and broaden understanding among civilizations in an effort to prevent the indiscriminate targeting of different religions and cultures, and addressing unresolved regional conflicts and the full range of global issues, including development issues, will contribute to strengthening the international fight against terrorism,

Expressing deep concern that incitement of terrorist acts motivated by extremism and intolerance poses a serious and growing danger to the enjoyment of human rights, threatens the social and economic development of all States and undermines global stability and prosperity,

Strongly condemning incidents of kidnapping and hostage-taking committed by terrorist groups for any purpose, including with the aim of raising funds or gaining political concessions, deeply concerned by the increase in such kidnappings, and underscoring the urgent need to address this issue,

Recalling the adoption of resolution 2122, and reaffirming the intention to increase its attention to women, peace and security issues in all relevant thematic areas of work on its agenda, including in threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts,

Expressing concern regarding the connection, in some cases, between terrorism and transnational organized crime and illicit activities such as drugs, arms and human trafficking, and money-laundering, and emphasizes the need to enhance coordination of efforts on national, subregional, regional and international levels in order to strengthen a global response to this serious challenge and threat to international security,

Reiterating the obligation of Member States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts, and criminalize the wilful provision or collection, by any means, directly or indirectly, of funds by their nationals or in their territories with the intention that the funds should be used, or in the knowledge that they are to be used, in order to carry out terrorist acts,

Reaffirming the obligation of Member States to freeze without delay funds and other financial assets or economic resources of persons who commit, or attempt to commit, terrorist acts or participate in or facilitate the commission of terrorist acts; of entities owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such persons; and of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of such persons and entities, including funds derived or generated from property owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such persons and associated persons and entities,

Reaffirming further the obligation of Member States to prohibit their nationals or any persons and entities within their territories from making any funds, financial assets or economic resources or financial or other related services available, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of persons who commit or attempt to commit or facilitate or participate in the commission of terrorist acts, of entities owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such persons and of persons and entities acting on behalf of or at the direction of such persons,

Reiterating that sanctions are an important tool in countering terrorism, and underlines the importance of prompt and effective implementation of relevant resolutions, in particular Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011)as key instruments in the fight against terrorism, and reiterates its continued commitment to ensure that fair and clear procedures exist for placing individuals and entities on sanctions lists and for removing them, as well as for granting humanitarian exemptions,

Acknowledging the important work on countering the financing of terrorism of the United Nations entities and other multilateral bodies and forums, including the Financial Action Task Force, and encouraging CTED to cooperate closely with these entities,

Reiterating further the obligation of Member States to prevent the movement of terrorist groups by, inter alia, effective border controls, and, in this context, to exchange information expeditiously, improve cooperation among competent authorities to prevent the movement of terrorists and terrorist groups to and from their territories, the supply of weapons for terrorists and financing that would support terrorists,

Underlining that safe havens provided to terrorists continue to be a significant concern and that all Member States must cooperate fully in the fight against terrorism in order to find, deny safe haven and bring to justice, on the basis of the principle of extradite or prosecute, any person who supports, facilitates, participates or attempts to participate in the financing, planning, preparation or commission of terrorist acts or provides safe havens,

Expressing concern at the increased use, in a globalized society, by terrorists and their supporters of new information and communication technologies, in particular the Internet, for the purposes of recruitment and incitement to commit terrorist acts, as well as for the financing, planning and preparation of their activities, and underlining the need for Member States to act cooperatively to prevent terrorists from exploiting technology, communications and resources to incite support for terrorist acts, while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and in compliance with other obligations under international law,

Recalls its decision that States shall eliminate the supply of weapons, including small arms and light weapons, to terrorists, as well as its calls for States to find ways of intensifying and accelerating the exchange of operational information regarding traffic in arms, and to enhance coordination of efforts on national, subregional, regional and international levels,

Recognizing the importance of having in place criminal justice institutions that can effectively prevent and respond to terrorism within a rule of law framework and underlining the importance of strengthening cooperation among Member States and with United Nations entities and subsidiary bodies with a view to enhancing their individual capabilities, including by supporting their efforts to develop and implement rule of law based counter-terrorism practices,

Recognizing the challenges faced by Member States in the management of terrorists in custody, encourages Member States to collaborate and share best practices regarding the management of terrorists in a secure, well-managed and regulated custodial environment in which human rights are respected and the development of programs for the rehabilitation and reintegration of convicted terrorists, noting the work of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and other relevant United Nations agencies in providing interested Member States with technical assistance in these areas, and encouraging interested Member States to request such assistance from these agencies,

Noting the work of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), in particular its publication of several framework documents and good practices, including in the areas of countering violent extremism, criminal justice, kidnapping for ransom, providing support to victims of terrorism, and community-oriented policing, to complement the work of the relevant United Nations counterterrorism entities in these areas, and encouraging CTED to continue its interaction with GCTF, in its work with Member States to promote the full implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005),

Recognizing the need for Member States to prevent the abuse of non-governmental, non-profit and charitable organizations by and for terrorists, and calling upon non-governmental, non-profit, and charitable organizations to prevent and oppose, as appropriate, attempts by terrorists to abuse their status, while recalling the importance of fully respecting the rights to freedom of expression and association of individuals in civil society and freedom of religion or belief, and noting the relevant recommendation and guidance documents of the Financial Action Task Force,

Expressing its profound solidarity with the victims of terrorism and their families, stresses the importance of assisting victims of terrorism, and providing them and their families with support to cope with their loss and grief, recognizes the important role that victims and survivor networks play in countering terrorism, including by bravely speaking out against violent and extremist ideologies, and in this regard, welcomes and encourages the efforts and activities of Member States and the United Nations system, including the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) in this field,

Reiterating its call to Member States to enhance their cooperation and solidarity, particularly through bilateral and multilateral arrangements and agreements to prevent and suppress terrorist attacks, and encouraging Member States to strengthen cooperation at the regional and subregional level, noting also the particular benefits to be derived from cross-regional collaboration and training, including, as appropriate, law enforcement, corrections and justice sector professionals and their staffs, and noting the importance of close collaboration within and between all agencies of government and international organizations in combating terrorism and its incitement,

Reaffirming its call upon all States to become party to the international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols as soon as possible, whether or not they are a party to regional conventions on the matter, and to fully implement their obligations under those which they are a party,

Recognizing the importance of local communities, private sector, civil society and media in increasing awareness about the threats of terrorism and more effectively tackling them,

Recalling resolution 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001, which established the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), and recalling also resolution 1624 (2005) and its other resolutions concerning threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts,

Recalling, in particular, resolution 1535 (2004) of 26 March 2004, resolution 1787 (2007) of 10 December 2007, resolution 1805 (2008) of 20 March 2008, and resolution 1963 (2010) of 20 December 2010 which pertain to the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), and recalling also the crucial role of the Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) and CTED in ensuring the full implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005), and underlines the importance of capacity-building and technical assistance with a view to increasing the capabilities of Member States, regional and subregional organizations for effective implementation of its resolutions,

Underscoring the central role of the United Nations in the global fight against terrorism and welcoming the adoption by the General Assembly of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/RES/60/288) of 8 September 2006, and expressing support for the activities of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), in accordance with General Assembly resolution 64/235 of 24 December 2009, to ensure overall coordination and coherence in the counter-terrorism efforts of the United Nations system, and its crucial role in promoting the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the full participation, within their mandate, of relevant Security Council subsidiary bodies in the work of the CTITF and its working groups,

Recognizing the work carried out by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) within the CTITF Office, in accordance with the General Assembly resolution A/RES/66/10, and its role in building the capacity of Member States,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 7086th meeting, on 17 December 2013.