Swiss call for reform of UN anti-terrorism body
Switzerland’s ambassador to the United Nations says the world body must do more to fight global terrorism.
Jenö Staehelin’s remarks come after a UN report in December claimed Switzerland was not implementing sanctions against the al-Qaeda network.
Staehelin argues that UN efforts to combat terrorism should no longer be the sole responsibility of the Security Council.
During an address to Council members on Thursday, Staehelin said the UN’s counter-terrorism committee – established in response to security threats following the September 11 attacks – was in urgent need of reform.
“We now know that the fight against terrorism is a long-term task. This means that it is now necessary to think in terms of long-term structures rather than emergency measures,” he said.
Countering terrorism
Staehelin suggested that all UN member states should have a greater say in counter-terrorism efforts.
“A new formula should be found to enable all countries to participate more fully in the current efforts to combat terrorism,” said the Swiss ambassador to the UN.
He also proposed the creation of a central counter-terrorism office which would report directly to the UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan.
Staehelin added that all member states should be consulted on the future shape of the counter-terrorism committee.
An extensive review of the committee’s role and mandate is due to wrap up by the end of 2005.
Human rights
Staehelin – who has been Switzerland’s permanent ambassador to the UN in New York since the country joined the world body in 2002 – also called for the respect of human rights when implementing counter-terrorism measures.
He welcomed a proposal to strengthen collaboration between the committee and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“The necessary fight against terrorism can and must be fought without sacrificing respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of the law,” he said.
He added that the UN committee should respect international rules on data protection when gathering information on terrorist networks.
UN criticism
Staehelin’s remarks come three months after the UN published a report criticising Switzerland for not doing enough to implement sanctions against al-Qaeda.
In particular, the document said Switzerland had failed to prevent financial and material support from reaching Osama bin Laden’s network and former members of Afghanistan’s Taliban regime.
At the time the Swiss government expressed surprise at the accusation, adding that it had no factual basis.
Switzerland has frozen assets linked to al-Qaeda and the Taliban worth SFr34 million ($25 million) since September 2001.
But the authorities have admitted that blocking financial assets may not be enough in the fight against terrorism.
swissinfo with agencies
The UN’s Counter-Terrorism Committee was formed under resolution 1373 adopted by the Security Council on September 28, 2001.
The committee is mandated to monitor the implementation of resolution 1373 by all states and try to increase the capability of states to fight terrorism.
The committee is made up of all 15 members of the Security Council.
A review of the committee will take place between now and the end of 2005.
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.