As the Sixth Committee (Legal) continued its consideration of measures to eliminate international terrorism, delegates called for more funding for counter-terrorism efforts, as well as increased cooperation in tackling and stopping the legal and illegal financing that supports terrorist groups and activities.
With international terrorist groups increasingly turning to online platforms to spread messages of hate, influence potential recruits and coordinate attacks, delegations today underscored that a holistic, global response was crucial in combatting the threat, as the Sixth Committee (Legal) took up the Secretary‑General’s report on measures to eliminate international terrorism (document A/74/151).
Due to visa issuance problems experienced by the delegation of Iran, the Sixth Committee (Legal), in two brief organizational meetings, was unable to adopt its programme of work for the seventy‑fourth session, resulting in the Chair adjourning the meeting to the following day.
The Sixth Committee (Legal) elected Michal Mlynár (Slovakia) Chair on 4 June. (See Press Release GA/12149.)
As the Sixth Committee (Legal) wrapped up its seventy‑third session today by taking action on 13 draft resolutions, including a historic text, and one draft decision, several delegations, while highlighting the Committee’s tradition of approving resolutions without a vote, at the same time, disassociated themselves from several paragraphs in those draft texts that they deemed contentious.
After approving four draft resolutions concerning the work of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) today, the Sixth Committee (Legal) critiqued its own working methods, with delegates emphasizing the need to make better use of time and calling for an improved relationship with the International Law Commission.
Prior to hearing oral reports of the Working Groups on “Measures to eliminate international terrorism”, “Scope and application of universal criminal jurisdiction” and “Criminal accountability of United Nations officials and experts on Mission”, the Sixth Committee (Legal) today approved without a vote the draft resolution, “Report of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization”.
While New York City is uniquely suited for the work of diplomacy, banking and travel restrictions placed on some delegations not only is hindering official United Nations business, but is also in contradiction to the Headquarters Agreement between the United States and the Organization, the Sixth Committee (Legal) heard today, as it took up the Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country.
After approving without a vote five resolutions on requests for observer status in the General Assembly and deferring one request, the Sixth (Legal) Committee today commenced its discussion on the report and draft articles addressing the protection of persons in the event of disasters, with delegates debating the merits of elaborating an international treaty.
As delegates concluded consideration of the third and final cluster of topics from the International Law Commission’s annual report, they emphasized the importance of addressing controversial issues, such as immunity of State officials who had committed crimes against humanity and the protection of the environment during armed conflict and occupation, with care and an acknowledgement of the matters’ complexity and political sensitivity.
