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Statement by India on Agenda Item 3 (d): Negative effects of terrorism in the enjoyment of human rights during the 24th session of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (17-21 February 2020) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 17 February 2020)

Statement by India on Agenda Item 3 (d): Negative effects of terrorism in the enjoyment of human rights during the 24th session of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (17-21 February 2020) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 17 February 2020)

Thank you Mr. President.

My delegation congratulates on your election as the President and other members of the Bureau. We welcome the study made by the Advisory committee on the negative effects of terrorism on the enjoyment of human rights.

2. Terrorism is the grossest violation of human rights and a challenge to international peace and security. India firmly believes that no cause or grievance could ever justify terrorism. We must adopt a zero-tolerance towards terrorism.

3. On the efforts made by the Advisory Committee on the definition of terrorism, India is of the firm belief that a Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism (CCIT) will provide a strong legal basis for the fight against terrorism and is in the interest of all member States to have multilateral and collective dimension of counter-terrorism effort. We support the proposal made by one of the distinguished members of the Advisory Committee to make reference in the recommendation section, calling Governments to intensify effort in finalizing the international legal instrument on terrorism.

4. We support, in general, the views expressed by the delegation of Egypt on the mandate and on finalising the Report.

Mr President,

5. With the emergence of new technologies and uncharted frontiers, our challenges in identifying new terrorist trends, mapping links between terrorists and criminal groups, and sharing information more effectively, are growing. The ‘Christchurch call for Action’ to eliminate and violent extremist content online, which we have endorsed, is an important effort to counter dissemination of such content online.

Mr President,

6. Revenues generated by illicit activities of terrorist and criminal groups are moved across borders and exchanged through open networks. This flow of resources, meant to produce violence and terror, needs to be stopped by States working together. Collective inter-state efforts are required, including at regional and sub-regional levels. We also need to sensitise the private and public enterprises involved in facilitating legitimate transboundary financial flows and should harness their support, so that they do not fall prey to malevolent objectives.

7. We would like to recommend for Action by Governments, in the Study:

- To build capacities for effective border controls, prevent misuse of modern technologies in the area of communication, monitor illicit financial flows and cooperate in investigation procedures and judicial processes.

Thank you Mr. President.