Q.19. ‘Terrorism has become a significant threat to global peace and security.’ Evaluate the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council’s Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) and its associated bodies in addressing and mitigating this threat at the international level. [UPSC 2024 GS P-2]

The United Nations Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) plays a crucial role in the global fight against terrorism. Established after the 9/11 attacks in 2001 by UNSC Resolution 1373, the CTC, along with its associated bodies like the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), has been at the forefront of international efforts to address and mitigate the global threat of terrorism. However, its effectiveness has been a subject of ongoing evaluation due to the evolving nature of terrorism and geopolitical challenges.

Achievements of the CTC in Addressing Global Terrorism:

1. Development of a Global Legal Framework:
   • The CTC has been instrumental in promoting and facilitating the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1373, which obligates UN member states to take specific actions against terrorism. This includes criminalizing terrorist financing, enhancing border security, improving intelligence-sharing, and denying safe havens to terrorists.
   • Through the CTC, many countries have adopted stronger anti-terrorism legislation and have aligned their domestic laws with global counter-terrorism norms, enhancing global legal coherence in the fight against terrorism.
2. Capacity Building and Technical Assistance:
   • The CTC, via the CTED, assists member states in building their capacity to combat terrorism, particularly in regions that lack the resources or expertise. This includes assistance with law enforcement, judicial cooperation, counter-terrorist financing, and improving security at critical infrastructure points like airports and borders.
   • Capacity-building initiatives have been particularly important in developing countries and conflict-prone regions where state institutions may be weak or under-resourced, making them vulnerable to terrorism.
3. Promoting International Cooperation:
   • One of the key roles of the CTC has been to foster international cooperation and coordination among member states. This includes intelligence-sharing, coordination on border control measures, and joint efforts to combat terrorist financing and recruitment.
   • The CTC has also played a role in promoting multilateral agreements and partnerships with regional organizations (e.g., European Union, African Union, ASEAN) to create a unified global front against terrorism.
4. Addressing New and Emerging Threats:
   • The CTC has adapted its strategies to address new forms of terrorism, including foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) and the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for radicalization, recruitment, and planning of terrorist activities.
   • In response to the rise of ISIS, the CTC has worked on strategies to prevent terrorist groups from using the internet and social media to propagate their ideology and recruit foreign fighters.
5. Focus on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE):
   • Recognizing that terrorism cannot be defeated solely by military or law enforcement means, the CTC has increasingly emphasized countering violent extremism (CVE) and preventing violent extremism (PVE) by promoting dialogue, addressing the root causes of terrorism, and working to prevent radicalization, particularly among vulnerable youth.

Challenges and Limitations of the CTC:

1. Geopolitical Divisions and Lack of Consensus:
   • The CTC’s effectiveness is often undermined by the political divisions within the UNSC, particularly among the permanent members (P5). Differing national interests can prevent the committee from adopting stronger and more unified counter-terrorism measures.
   • For instance, disagreements over how to define terrorism and differentiate between terrorist groups and legitimate resistance movements (e.g., Hezbollah, Hamas) have hampered consensus on certain issues.
2. Inconsistent Implementation of Resolutions:
   • While the CTC provides guidelines and recommendations, the actual implementation of these at the national level varies significantly. Some member states, due to weak governance, lack of resources, or political reasons, fail to fully comply with the CTC’s recommendations.
   • There is often limited follow-up or enforcement mechanisms to ensure that member states implement their obligations, which can create gaps in the global counter-terrorism response.
3. Challenges in Addressing State-Sponsored Terrorism:
   • The CTC faces difficulties in addressing state-sponsored terrorism, where governments either directly or indirectly support terrorist groups. Political complexities and the reluctance of powerful nations to call out state sponsors (especially if they are allies) limit the effectiveness of counter-terrorism measures.
4. Evolving Nature of Terrorism:
   • Terrorism is a constantly evolving threat, with terrorist groups adapting to new technologies and tactics. The rise of cyberterrorism, the use of cryptocurrencies to finance terrorism, and the increasing lone-wolf attacks present new challenges that are harder to counter through traditional methods.
   • The CTC has struggled to keep pace with the speed at which terrorist groups innovate, particularly in terms of utilizing social media and encrypted communication platforms for their operations.
5. Limited Engagement with Civil Society and Local Communities:
   • While the CTC focuses on state-level engagement, there has been limited interaction with civil society organizations (CSOs) and local communities. These grassroots actors are critical in addressing the root causes of radicalization and extremism, and their exclusion weakens the preventive aspect of the global counter-terrorism strategy.
   • Many experts argue that the CTC’s approach is often too state-centric, and insufficient attention is paid to human rights, which can erode trust between governments and communities, especially in regions where counter-terrorism measures are perceived as oppressive.
6. Lack of Focus on Human Rights:
   • In some cases, counter-terrorism measures have been criticized for infringing on human rights and civil liberties. The CTC has been criticized for not placing enough emphasis on the protection of human rights while implementing counter-terrorism measures, leading to issues like arbitrary detentions, surveillance, and restrictions on freedom of expression.

Conclusion:

The United Nations Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) has made significant strides in establishing a global framework for counter-terrorism, promoting international cooperation, and building capacity in vulnerable regions. However, its overall effectiveness is limited by geopolitical divisions, inconsistent implementation of its recommendations, and the evolving nature of terrorism. To enhance its impact, the CTC needs to address these challenges by promoting stronger enforcement mechanisms, engaging more with civil society, and ensuring that counter-terrorism efforts respect human rights.

The CTC remains a vital platform for global counter-terrorism efforts, but its continued success will depend on how well it can adapt to new threats and overcome the political and practical challenges it faces in a rapidly changing global landscape.