Counterterrorism

The United States works closely in many international arenas to improve partnerships and capacities for fighting terrorism. A key element in the U.S. strategy has been securing meaningful Security Council action. The United States has led efforts in the Council to pass resolutions that provide both a framework and binding legal requirements for international cooperation and action by all Member States to prevent terrorism.

International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism

In February 2005, President Bush and President Putin called for the early adoption of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, which the General Assembly adopted earlier this year. This is the first counterterrorism convention adopted by the General Assembly since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The Convention strengthens the international legal framework to combat terrorism. The United States urges all nations to sign the Convention.

Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism

The United States strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and urges the General Assembly to adopt a Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism. A clear, strong Convention on terrorism will bolster common efforts to preserve peace and security. It is time for all UN Member States to unequivocally outlaw acts of international terrorism. For too many years, the General Assembly has been unable to finalize this important treaty. It is time to reach agreement.

The United States encourages all nations to become party to the 12 counterterrorism conventions and protocols in force that were negotiated under the auspices of the UN and its affiliated agencies, and urges all parties to fully implement them. The United States has signed and ratified these twelve conventions:

Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft

Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft

Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons, Including Diplomatic Agents

International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages

Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material

Protocol on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts of Violence at Airports Serving International Civil Aviation, supplementary to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation

Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation

Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf

Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection

International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings

International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism

(end fact sheet)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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