Statement by the Delegation of Brazil at the Security Council Arria-Formula meeting on "Threats to International Peace and Security caused by Transnational Activities of Terrorist Groups" - August 31st, 2022

Distinguished Chairs,

At the outset, I would like to thank Kenya and the United Arab Emirates for convening this important meeting, and the briefers for their presentations.

Terrorism is not a new phenomenon, but 9/11 certainly was a watershed moment in the way the international community dealt with it. Much has changed since 2001. In light of the ever-changing nature of terrorist threats, we must always ask ourselves whether the current counterterrorism framework is still up-to-date to address the new challenges that have emerged in the past 21 years.

The response by the international community has been uneven. The Security Council seemed to show a stronger resolve when the actions of terrorist groups were directly felt in certain places. On the one hand, a great amount of resources was devoted to combat Al-Qaeda and Da`esh. On the other hand, the illusion that the action of other groups was locally circumscribed apparently led the Security Council to pay less attention to their growing menace. The perception of double standards in the action of the Security Council undermines its credibility as the primary responsible body for the maintenance of international peace and security.

On August 9, here at the Council, USG Vladimir Voronkov presented the last SG report on the threat represented by Da`esh. One of the most concerning trends documented therein is the increased threat it represents in Africa. Despite leadership and territorial losses, Da`esh established alliances with local groups in the continent, for instance in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the north of Mozambique, in West Africa and the Sahel. Competing groups have also stepped up their terrorist acts. Al-Shabaab, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, has frequently demonstrated its ability to perpetrate hideous attacks through the borders of Somalia.

Distinguished Chairs,

The Security Council should continue to facilitate the provision of technical assistance, upon request, with a view to enabling Member States to counter terrorism. This is especially important in light of the emergence of new technologies, which in the wrong hands have great destructive power. Brazil commends India`s timely proposal to organize a CTC meeting on this topic by the end of October.

While UN peacekeeping operations are not a tool for military counter-terrorism actions, they contribute to create and maintain the conditions for long-term stability and security, and have an inhibiting effect on terrorism. Regional and sub-regional organizations can also play a crucial role in containing the spread of terrorism and, in doing so, must count on our support. AMISOM, now ATMIS, provided an example by assisting countries of the entire Horn of Africa in reducing Al-Shabaab capacities.

When addressing the threat posed by terrorism, the Security Council should also pay heed to UN´s most representative body, the General Assembly, which is in a better position to understand the different needs of Member States in all their diversity. In this vein, the UN Global Counter-terrorism strategy, for its comprehensiveness, should be the basis for the international fight against terrorism.

We must also continue working on the adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism that would provide a universal conceptual framework on this topic, fostering the cohesion of global, regional and national efforts. We cannot effectively fight a phenomenon that we have still not collectively defined. The lack of a definition will inevitably lead to the perception of double standards.

Distinguished Chairs,

Any counter-terrorism strategy can only be successful if it is credible and inspires trust. And it can only be trusted if it fully complies with international law, particularly the UN Charter and its rules pertaining to the prohibition of the use of force. Counter-terrorism cannot be carried out at the expense of human rights and humanitarian obligations, otherwise it is self-defeating. The process of listing terrorist persons or entities must also be based on solid evidence, if not it risks becoming tainted by politicization and double standards. Counter-terrorism must also keep the victims, survivors and their close ones among its concerns.

Terrorism is unacceptable in all its forms and manifestations. We must show firm commitment to helping any Member State affected by it. And it must address the root causes of terrorism by promoting sustainable development. As we are aware, social exclusion, discrimination, xenophobia, poverty, unemployment, underdevelopment and food insecurity are frequently the underlying causes of radicalization conducive to terrorism.

I thank you.