UN targets terror-crime collusion

Forum underscores need to cooperate on combatting organized-crime financing

China's counter-terrorism and de-radicalization campaign is part and parcel of the global fight against terrorism, the Chinese envoy to the UN said on Tuesday.

"China is also a victim of terrorism," said Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent ambassador to the UN.

"Facing the ongoing threat of terrorism and extremism, China has taken decisive measures to carry out counter-terrorism and de-radicalization by law, has effectively contained the high incidences of terrorist activities at different locations, and has best guaranteed the basic right to development and life of people of all ethnicities," he said at an open debate on the linkage between international terrorism and organized crime, held by the Security Council at UN headquarters.

He said China's counter-terrorism and de-radicalization campaign is fully consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN in fighting terrorism and protecting basic human rights.

China has been rigorously implementing all of the UN's counter-terrorism resolutions and actively participating in global and regional counter-terrorism cooperation, he said.

"As a state party to the United Nations convention against transnational organized crime, China has been taking a range of measures, including legislation, law enforcement and judiciary measures, actively implementing its obligations under the convention, and advancing relevant international cooperation," Ma said.

Ma said China will continue to conduct bilateral and multilateral exchanges and cooperation with all member states, especially developing countries, in fighting terrorism and organized crime, adding that China will do its utmost to provide material assistance to concerned countries in joint endeavors to maintain regional and global peace and stability.

Ma also said that terrorist organizations were using organized crime for financing and posed serious threats to international peace and security.

"It is important to adhere to a unified counter-terrorism standard while respecting the primary responsibilities of the member states and the central coordinating role of the United Nations," Ma said.

"Terrorism is the public enemy of the mankind, counter-terrorism must not be subject to double standards," he said, adding that counter-terrorism must follow the purposes and principles of the UN charter and must respect the sovereignty, independence, and territory integrity of the countries concerned.

Tangible measures must be taken to counter mutual collusion and infiltration between terrorist organizations and organized crime in people, funding, equipment and incitement, he added.

Ma called for a comprehensive approach to be adopted "to root out the causes that breed and proliferate terrorism and organized crime."

Effective regional cooperation is key, he said, emphasizing a need for United Nations agencies to work more closely together and with the affected regions. 

Initiatives should also help states that need assistance in combating illegal activities by terrorist and organized crime groups and addressing trafficking in everything from weapons to natural resources. 

Before delivering his remarks, Ma said this would most likely be his last speech as the permanent representative of China to the UN.

"I would like to use this opportunity to extend my respect to all of my colleagues at the council," he said.

"I would also like to express my hope that in the future the Security Council can build up its current momentum to better maintain international peace and security," he added.

Yury Fedotov, executive director of the UN's office on drugs and crime, highlighted priority actions to strengthen the global response to the dual threat of terrorism and organized crime. 

He noted the importance of working towards effective implementation of international commitments and called for more resources to provide technical assistance, including information and intelligencesharing. 

"The UN clearly has a role to play in encouraging and enabling such networked responses," he said. 

Also speaking in the open debate was Michele Coninsx, executive director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. 

She said that "events such as today's open debate enable us to reaffirm our joint commitment to combating all forms of support for terrorist groups and individuals, as well as to promoting regional and international cooperation through the dissemination of relevant tools and practices".