Security Council

6526^th Meeting (PM)

Security Council Presidential Statement, Welcoming End of Osama bin Laden’s

 

Ability to Perpetrate Terrorist Acts, Urges States to Remain Vigilant

 

Recalling the “heinous” terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, as well as the numerous attacks perpetrated by the Al-Qaida network around the world, the Security Council welcomed today the news that Osama bin Laden would never again be able to perpetrate such acts of terrorism.

In a statement read out by Gérard Araud (France), its President for May, the Council recognized that critical development and other accomplishments made in the fight against terrorism while urging all States to “remain vigilant” and intensify their efforts in that fight.  It also reaffirmed that terrorism could not and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or group.

Expressing its deepest condolences to the victims of terrorism and their families, the Council stressed the need for the full implementation of all its resolutions and statements on terrorism, notably resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 1963 (2010) and 1904 (2009), as well as other applicable international counter-terrorism instruments.

Calling for enhanced cooperation in that regard, the Council reaffirmed its call on all States to work together urgently to bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of terrorist attacks, and its determination that those responsible for aiding, supporting or harbouring such actors would be held accountable.  States must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

Stressing that no cause or grievance could justify the murder of innocent people, and that terrorism would not be defeated exclusively by military force, law enforcement and intelligence measures, the Council stated that terrorism could only be defeated by a sustained, comprehensive approach involving all States, relevant international and regional organizations and civil society to address the conditions conducive to its spread, and to impede, impair, isolate and incapacitate the terrorist threat.

The meeting began at 5:30 p.m. and ended at 5:35 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2011/9 reads as follows:

“The Security Council recalls its resolutions regarding Osama bin Laden, and its condemnation of the Al-Qaida network and other associated terrorist groups for the multiple criminal terrorist acts aimed at causing the deaths of numerous innocent civilians and the destruction of property.

“The Security Council also recalls the heinous terrorist attacks which took place on 11 September 2001 in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, and the other numerous attacks perpetrated by the network throughout the world.

“In this regard, the Security Council welcomes the news on 1 May 2011 that Osama bin Laden will never again be able to perpetrate such acts of terrorism, and reaffirms that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or group.

The Security Council recognizes this critical development and other accomplishments made in the fight against terrorism and urges all States to remain vigilant and intensify their efforts in the fight against terrorism.

The Security Council expresses once again its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of terrorism and their families.

“The Security Council reaffirms the importance of all its resolutions and statements on terrorism, in particular resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 1963 (2010) and 1904 (2009), as well as other applicable international counter-terrorism instruments, stresses the need for their full implementation and calls for enhanced cooperation in this regard.

“The Security Council further reaffirms its call on all States to work together urgently to bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of terrorist attacks, and its determination that those responsible for aiding, supporting or harbouring the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these acts will be held accountable.

“The Security Council reaffirms that Member States must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

“The Security Council stresses that no cause or grievance can justify the murder of innocent people and that terrorism will not be defeated by military force, law enforcement measures and intelligence operations alone, and can only be defeated by a sustained and comprehensive approach involving the active participation and collaboration of all States and relevant international and regional organizations and civil society to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and to impede, impair, isolate and incapacitate the terrorist threat.”

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For information media • not an official record