United Nations Delegates Struggle to Define Terrorism
Delegates representing over 25 countries met today to discuss the establishment of a universal definition to distinguish freedom fighters from terrorists. A controversial topic, the difference between these two groups has long been debated.
Terrorism is generally defined as “violent and illegal interaction”, whereas freedom fighting is regarded as “forms of violence to enact political reform”. Delegates from the Legal Political Committee debated over whether this definition should remain as is, or be adjusted depending on each case.
The creation of a sub-committee to determine the nature of each case was proposed by delegates from Peru, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates. This proposal was supported by the delegation from Luxembourg, but the delegation added that the sub-committee should be unbiased and non subjective. The Swedish delegation was in agreement, stating that a concrete definition of terrorism and freedom-fighting “does not exist”, and is “case-dependent.”
The delegation from Djibouti disagreed, arguing that terrorism and freedom-fighting is similar. The delegate from Tunisia was in agreement.
Delegations from the United Arab Emirates, Peru, Ivory Coast, and Poland argued for an objective view for each case to eliminate bias. The delegate from South Africa was in opposition for this, stating, “The difference between the two groups is the groups towards which they act.”
There is hope that the Legal Political Committee will pass a resolution on this controversial issue by this afternoon.
Terrorism is generally defined as “violent and illegal interaction”, whereas freedom fighting is regarded as “forms of violence to enact political reform”. Delegates from the Legal Political Committee debated over whether this definition should remain as is, or be adjusted depending on each case.
The creation of a sub-committee to determine the nature of each case was proposed by delegates from Peru, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates. This proposal was supported by the delegation from Luxembourg, but the delegation added that the sub-committee should be unbiased and non subjective. The Swedish delegation was in agreement, stating that a concrete definition of terrorism and freedom-fighting “does not exist”, and is “case-dependent.”
The delegation from Djibouti disagreed, arguing that terrorism and freedom-fighting is similar. The delegate from Tunisia was in agreement.
Delegations from the United Arab Emirates, Peru, Ivory Coast, and Poland argued for an objective view for each case to eliminate bias. The delegate from South Africa was in opposition for this, stating, “The difference between the two groups is the groups towards which they act.”
There is hope that the Legal Political Committee will pass a resolution on this controversial issue by this afternoon.