Terrorism

Terror threat posed by ISIL ‘remains volatile and complex,’ Security Council hears

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While multiple Da’esh leaders have perished in the past few years, “the group has managed to retain its operational capacity”, Vladimir Voronkov, head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) told the Security Council Wednesday.   Da’esh makes use of regional and domestic affiliates and continues to receive substantial global donations, operating through regional hubs and cross-border financial networks.   The threat … Read more

China spy case shows the UK must do more to tackle Chinese espionage and influence operations

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The failed prosecution of two British men accused of spying for China continues to roil Westminster, sparking recriminations against the government and concern among MPs about their privacy and security.  The case against the men was dropped last month, with the director of public prosecutions saying the British government had failed to provide sufficient evidence that China … Read more

The UK must prioritize cybersecurity or be left dangerously exposed

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As countries gather in Hanoi to sign the first-ever UN binding treaty on cybercrime, the UK’s National Cyber  Security  Centre (NCSC) has issued a sobering assessment of the cyberthreats facing the country.  The NCSC’s annual review, which comes after recent high-profile cyberattacks on British businesses, warned that the number of cyber incidents that pose a risk on a national level has risen dramatically. … Read more

Battle against Da’esh, a ‘long-term game’, Voronkov tells Security Council

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Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, said the threat from Da’esh (the network’s long-term name in Arabic) is still very real in both Syria and Iraq, where the group retains an estimated 6,000-10,000 fighters and continues to carry out hit-and-run operations, ambushes and roadside bombings. ‘Shattering and sober reminder’ Mr. Voronkov described … Read more

Human rights must be ‘front and centre’ in the fight against terrorism: Guterres

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“As a moral duty, a legal obligation, and a strategic imperative – let’s put human rights where they belong: Front and centre in the fight against terror,” Mr. Guterres said in a video message to the High-Level International conference on Human Rights, Civil Society and Counter-Terrorism.  The two-day event is taking place against the backdrop of the growing … Read more

Terrorist groups ‘exploiting power vacuums’, UN chief warns

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Mr. Guterres was addressing the latest meeting of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, which brings together more than 40 UN agencies, Member States and other partners.    The terrorism threat to Africa is increasing, he told participants. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 48 per cent of deaths attributed to terrorist groups globally last year.   Exploiting fragilities  “Groups … Read more

Da’esh, affiliates remain ‘global and evolving’ threat, Security Council hears

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“Da’esh and its affiliates continue to exploit conflict dynamics, governance fragilities and inequality to incite, plan and organize terrorist attacks,” said UN counter-terrorism chief Vladimir Voronkov, presenting the Secretary-General’s fifteenth report.  They also exploit pandemic restrictions, misuse digital spaces to recruit sympathizers and have “significantly” increased the use of unmanned aerial systems, as reported in northern … Read more

UN meeting upholds need to remember and support victims of terrorism

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The first UN Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism will address key issues that include protection, remembrance and recognition, and access to justice, as well as support and assistance.  More than 600 participants are expected to attend, both in-person and online, including survivors, diplomats, experts and representatives from civil society, academia, and the private sector.  Owning the … Read more

Nearly half of world’s terror victims are African, with organised crime increasingly entrenched

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UNODC chief Ghada Waly said there were around 3,500 victims of terrorist acts in sub-Saharan Africa last year, nearly half of those recorded worldwide. The vast Sahel region in particular has become home to some of the most active and deadly terrorist groups, and it is essential to gain more understanding of the links between organised crime and … Read more

UN counter-terrorism body backs innovations to fight digital terror

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Ahead of the two-day meeting, the Committee Chair, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj of India, spoke to UN News about how terrorists are exploiting social media, mobile payment systems, 3D printing, and other technological developments.  Highlighting the impact on society, she said their “easy accessibility, affordability and almost universal outreach, have unlocked an immense opportunity for mankind, while also exposing … Read more