The United Nations and the problem of combatting international terrorism

Abstract

The author reviews the 40‐year history of UN efforts to eliminate international terrorism, and focuses on decisions of the last two decades. While noting that the antiterrorist thrust of these decisions has been gaining momentum, the author remains critical of the UN's performance. The relevant UN decisions are merely recommendations and not legally binding; they do not encompass the problem of international terrorism as a whole; the existing conventions do not extend to all states and there is little coordination with regional arrangements; and finally, the UN lacks reliable machinery to encourage states to implement the measures recommended in its decisions. The key to enhancing the UN's antiterrorism efforts is the preparation and universal acceptance of a major international instrument creating legally binding obligations on States for combatting international terrorism. Such a convention should be drafted within the framework of the UN Security Council so as to elevate the issue to the highest UN lev...