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Mr. Chairman,
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election as
Chairman of this Ad Hoc Committee. I hope that you will be able to steward this
Committee to reach a legal consensus, which will help the international
community to effectively combat terrorism. I would also like to congratulate
other member of the Bureau of this Committee and appreciate the important role
played by the coordinators.
Mr. Chairman,
The statement by Turkey on behalf of the OIC (Organization of Islamic
Conference) generally reflects the position of Pakistan. My delegation, however,
emphasizes that Pakistan is not only a frontline state in the fight against
terrorism but has also been a victim of terrorism. Many of our innocent
civilians have lost their lives to acts of terrorism. But this does not deter us
in our commitment to fight this menace.
We have taken effective measures to strengthen our domestic legal framework. Our
law enforcement officials are in the forefront of the fight against terrorism.
Pakistan has signed or ratified 11 out of 12 UN anti terrorism conventions. We
have also singed the OIC Convention on Combating International Terrorism and the
SAARC Regional Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism.
Pakistan, therefore, is keen that to provide focus to the efforts against
terrorism, this Committee must reach consensus on the legal definition of
terrorism, which must include state terrorism. The definition must also make a
distinction between acts of terrorism and the struggle of a people for
self-determination.
Mr. Chairman,
The Charter of the UN, the subsequent practice of its organs and members
confirms the legally binding character of the right of self-determination. This
practice has been expressed through many resolutions of the General Assembly and
the Security Council including the resolution defining the prohibition of
aggression, the Covenants on Human Rights and the jurisprudence of the
International Court of Justice.
Pakistan, therefore, maintains that our fight against terrorism should not lead
to the violation of human rights or undermine the right of a people to
self-determination. It should strictly conform to the principles of
international law and human rights.
All this, however, will have little meaning if efforts are not made immediately
to provide technical assistance to states needing capacity building to allow
them to fight terrorism effectively.
Pakistan supports the need for convening a high level conference under the
auspices of the UN to formulate a joint organized response of the international
community to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Mr. Chairman,
Terrorism has no faith. Therefore we should not become party to efforts to link
terrorism with any particular religion. On the contrary, greater efforts should
be made to foster inter-cultural understanding and cooperation. That is the only
way forward.
We have noted the progress made during the last one year towards the conclusion
of the draft convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism. We had
certain reservations with respect to article 4 (2) of the draft nuclear
convention and accordingly we proposed to the Committee the addition of two
paragraphs in the draft convention. However, in a spirit of compromise and in
order to facilitate the consensus adoption of this draft convention we have
withdrawn our proposals.
I would like to mention here that our position with respect to the draft
comprehensive convention against international terrorism continues to remain
unchanged. We are willing to continue to work constructively with other
delegations with a view to reaching consensus with respect to the remaining
outstanding issues.
Thank you.