NCJ Number
77555
Date Published
1979
Length
24 pages
Annotation
The United Nations' response to terrorism is examined, and suggested approaches for the United Nations to use against terrorism are presented.
Abstract
In its 27th session, the U.N. General Assembly failed to deal effectively with the general issue of international terrorism, largely because of reluctance by the Third World and Arab nations to challenge groups whose tactics were deemed efforts at liberation and self-determination. At its 28th session, however, the General Assembly adopted a Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons Including Diplomatic Agents. This action succeeded where previous attempts at challenging terrorism had failed, because it narrowed the focus of the resolution to a specific terrorist tactic. Efforts should be continued in the U.N. toward the formulation and adoption of a convention against the taking of hostages. In addition, new efforts should be directed toward working out conventions against grave offenses and serious crimes that the international community could agree to condemn and punish regardless of political motives. Current Western efforts to persuade more countries to accede to the three International Civil Aviation Organization conventions should be intensified. Also, the secretary-general of the U.N. should be required by states to report to the General Assembly annually on the exact position regarding ratification and implementation of hijacking conventions. The public denunciation of hijacking should be maintained as well, with airlines and crews taking the initiative. Airlines should cooperate to blacklist countries that have consistently failed to act against hijackers. A total of 32 notes are listed.