RIYADH, 6 February 2005 — A United Nations counterterrorism official said here yesterday that the respect of human freedoms and human rights in the world were a decisive tool in the fight against terrorism and that states and religious leaders need to make their condemnation of it clear.
Speaking on behalf of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Javier Ruperez of the UN Counterterrorism Executive Directorate, said at the counterterrorism conference that terrorists were using their devious methods to distort the image of Islam worldwide.
“Governments and religious leaders throughout the Islamic world must, therefore, make sure that their voices of condemnation of terrorism are clearly heard both at home and abroad,” Ruperez said.
States also have a duty to hear the full range of voices within the Islamic world, he said. “Many of those voices tell us that we cannot afford to defeat terrorism only by freezing bank accounts, sharing intelligence or bringing individual terrorists to justice. Basic human freedom must be respected by those who are combating terrorist groups. There must be movement toward better and fairer societies. Otherwise, they may not join us as we need them to in condemning and combating those who resort to violence,” said Ruperez.
“Every time we stand up for human rights and fundamental freedoms we stand against terrorism. Every time we act to resolve political disputes, we act against terrorism. Every time we make the rule of law stronger, we make terrorism weaker,” he said.
Ruperez told delegates that every state needs a principle strategy against terrorism that includes cohesive measures. He also called for a global effort to address root causes of terrorism.
“The work of the United Nations to resolve conflicts and fight poverty, defining the rights of men and women everywhere, therefore, is a vitally important part of global antiterrorism efforts,” he said.
Ruperez said that he believes “all states should work together to create a comprehensive anti-terror convention based on a definition of terrorism that makes clear that any targeting of civilians or noncombatants is wrong.”
He also said that he would personally be overseeing the implementation of a UN anti-terror strategy in the near future.
“Let every terrorist and terrorist group hear the same message from governments and international organizations everywhere: We denounce your crimes. We will work together to fight you at every turn. And we will build a world of law and piety where terrorists have no place,” he said.
The conference continues today with discussions to promote international cooperation to fight terrorism. Delegates from the United States, Algeria, China, South Africa, Nigeria, France and Colombia are slated to take part.
