On 22 July 2016, the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) organized an open briefing on Member States’ implementation of Security Council resolution 2178 (2014), on stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters (FTF).
The open briefing was attended by representatives of Member States, international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Experts of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) briefed Member States on the three regionally focused dialogues on States affected by FTFs, held by the Committee in June and July.
The discussions also focused on States’ efforts to implement the Committee’s recommendations.
Issues of particular concern include the potential threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters who return to their countries of origin or to other States, and drivers of FTFs. Also good practices on how to address the FTF phenomenon were discussed.
The Chair of CTC stressed that “we urgently need to enhance our cooperation and coordination, readapt and revitalise our strategies, and mobilise the resources needed to prevent terrorists from disrupting our way of life and our freedoms.”
CTED Executive Director Jean-Paul Laborde also indicated that “those individuals often return with battlefield skills, training in the use of explosives, and with an understanding of the practices of police and security agencies. Member States must therefore continue to strengthen their responses through effective detection, prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration strategies.”
CTED experts recommended that Member States use the Madrid Guiding Principles on the implementation of resolution 2178 (2014), which aim to facilitate a holistic, forward-looking approach to the implementation of flexible prosecution strategies, combined with appropriate alternatives to prosecution.
Those alternatives can include administrative measures and reintegration and rehabilitation programmes, provided that they are used in a manner compliant with international human rights law and are subject to effective review.
Director of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) Office Jehangir Khan briefed the audience on the capacity-building projects within the CTITF framework. A number of participating delegations also provided an update of their national efforts to tackle the FTFs.
CTED will continue to work with its partners to identify good practices and develop further guidance and assistance for Member States affected by the FTF phenomenon.
CTED also encourages Member States to update the Committee on current practices and measures employed to tackle the FTF threat.