UNITED Nations chief Kofi Annan has unveiled a global counter-terrorism strategy that puts emphasis on the need to address bioterrorism, counter terrorists' growing use of the internet and defending human rights.
The 32-page strategy, responding to a call by world leaders at their summit at UN headquarters in New York last September for enhanced UN coordination of the global fight against terrorism, sidestepped the question of defining what terrorism is.
"It is also essential that member states conclude, as soon as possible, a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism," Mr Annan said as he outlined his proposals to the 191-member General Assembly.
"However, lack of progress in building consensus on a convention cannot be a reason for delay in agreeing on a strategy," he said.
For nearly nine years, diplomats have been sweating over a draft convention that would encompass previous texts on the fight against terrorism, including bombings, financing and nuclear and biological threats.
But they have so far stumbled over an acceptable definition of terrorism, particularly in the Middle East, where groups seen by some countries as terrorists are viewed by others as freedom fighters.
Mr Annan's counter-terrorism strategy is articulated around what he called the "five Ds": Dissuading people from resorting to terrorism or supporting it; Denying terrorists the means to carry out an attack; Deterring states from supporting terrorism; Developing state capacity to defeat terrorism; Defending human rights.
Mr Annan's report underscored the need for "innovative solutions" to prevent bioterrorism.
"The approach to fighting the abuse of biotechnology for terrorist purposes will have more in common with measures against cybercrime than with the work to control nuclear proliferation," it noted.
Mr Annan also stressed that a prerequisite to an effective counter-terrorism strategy was defending the "human rights of all - of the victims of terrorism, of those, of those suspected of terrorism, of those affected by the consequences of terrorism."
"States must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with their obligation under international law, in particular human rights law, refugee law and international humanitarian law," Mr Annan told UN member states.
"Any strategy that compromises human rights will play right into the hands of the terrorists."
The General Assembly is to hold consultations on Mr Annan's recommendations on May 11.
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