All about the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism

Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. History of CCIT
3. Need for CCIT
4. Purpose of CCIT
5. Key provisions of CCIT
6. Issues Relating to CCIT
7. Geo-Politics and Terrorist Acts
8. Conclusion
9. Related Topics
10. FAQs

Introduction

The Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism is a treaty proposed by India to curb all forms of terrorism by denying terrorists their funding, support, access to arms, ammunition, and safe havens 

History of CCIT

• In 1996, India proposed the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the General Assembly Sixth Committee (Legal Committee)

• The committee did not reach a consensus on this convention, but the discussion resulted in other conventions.

Resultant Conventions	Adopted Year
International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings	1997
International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism	1999
International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism	2005

• Many Countries expressed their concern about the Definition of Terrorism and its applicability to the Armed Forces of the state, Liberal Movements, etc., and proposed amendments to the definition.

• Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, raised the issue in his address at the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly held in September 2014

• Again in 2016, India pushed for early adoption; In the 73rd General Assembly session of 2018, many countries raised their concerns over failing to reach a conclusion on the Convention and the resultant effect on Counter-terrorism operations.

• Till now, the problem of formulating a universal definition of terrorism is in a deadlock.

Need for CCIT

• There is a lack of a Comprehensive Convention which covers all forms of terrorism.

• Many Innocent people lost their lives, fundamental freedom, and human dignity due to escalating terrorist activities.

• Lack of Universal Definition of Terrorism.

• Terrorism violates the purpose and principles of the United Nations.

• Terrorist activities are a threat to the Peace and security of countries.

Purpose of CCIT

• To adopt a universally accepted definition of terrorism.

• To prevent terrorist activities and ensure that terrorists are prosecuted and punished under special law.

• To ban all terrorist groups and shut down terror camps.

• To suppress acts of International Terrorism.

• To secure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

• To make terrorism an extraditable offense.

• To enable intelligence sharing among states for counter-terrorism.

Key provisions of CCIT

Article 2

This article classifies the terrorist act into two categories:

• offense committed  

• Any person unlawfully and intentionally causes 

• Death or serious bodily injury to any person.

• Serious damage to a State or government facility, a public transportation system, communication system, or infrastructure facility with the intent to cause extensive destruction of such a place, facility, or system, or where such destruction results or is likely to result in major economic loss.

with a purpose to

• Intimidate a population

• To make the Government or an International Organisation to do or abstain from doing any act.

• Acts considered as a commission of offense

• A person is said to have committed an offence if he or she

• Attempt to commit an offense.

• Participate as an accomplice in an offense.

• Organizes, directs, or instigates others to commit an offense.

• Aids, abets, facilitates, or counsels the commission of such an offense.

to further general criminal activity or the purpose of the group.

Article 4

state party to this convention shall 

• make domestic laws

• Punish the person who commits the offense under Article 2

Article 7

The state shall give no asylum to the person who commits the offense or has reasonable grounds to believe that he has committed an offense under Article 2

Issues Relating to CCIT

Certain countries expressed their concerns regarding the definition

• The US

• They want the activities of armed forces to be excluded

• The US is involved in counter-terrorism activities in various countries and wants to exclude acts committed during peacetime. 

• The Organisation of Islamic Countries

• The OIC wants to differentiate between terrorist acts from Liberal movements and exclude them from the convention (eg. the Israel-Palestinian conflict.)

• Latin American countries

• Latin American countries want to include "state terrorism" and violation of International human rights law in the convention 

Geo-Politics and Terrorist Acts

• Some countries use terrorism as a tool to cause destruction to another country. These states provide funding, training, intelligence, arms, ammunition, etc., and act as safe havens for terrorist groups (eg. Pakistan and ISI support of terrorist groups).

• Terror groups that consider themselves Liberation groups cause destruction to the sovereignty of other countries and are used as proxy elements by the state (e.g. Jaish-e-Muhammud leader Masood Azhar in Pakistan)

• China has blocked India's attempt to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist stating Pakistan and India do not have a consensus on the issue.

• Adoption of this convention will force the country to take action or extradite the person if there are reasonable grounds.

Conclusion

The menace of terrorism will have no end unless there is cooperation between the countries. The state must endeavor to form a definition with the common interest of society in mind. 

Related Topics

1. Major Terrorist Groups and Their Attack on India

2. NATGRID - National Intelligence Grid

FAQs

What is the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism Upsc?

The Comprehensive Convention of International Terrorism aims to define all forms terrorism and propose counter terrorism measures.

Who proposed Comprehensive Convention of International terrorism?

India in 1996 proposed for the formulation of comprehensive Legal framework for International Terrorism

What causes terrorism in India

Religious extremism, Regionalism, Political aspirations, separatism, Radicalization are the causes of Terrorism in India

What are the objectives of terrorism?

The Objective of the terrorism is to create terror among the people and force the government to do or abstain from doing any act to achieve their political, religious or ideological goals