Why is UN yet to define terrorism: M.J. Akbar

Union Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar on Thursday questioned the United Nation's "coy approach" in defining terrorism, and stressed on the need to identify countries that support and finance terrorism.

"Why is it that for the last 20 years, the United Nations has not been able to define terrorism...? How can you fight your enemy if you don't have clarity about him? And how can you have clarity if you don't have definition. This coy approach to such a menace is not understandable," Akbar said at the 17th international counter-terrorism seminar organised by the National Security Guard (NSG).

The seminar was attended by 40 delegates from 12 countries like the US, the UK, Russia, Thailand, Canada, Australia, Japan, France, Israel, South Korea, Germany and Philippines.

Calling terrorism a war, Akbar said it seeks destruction, destablisation of society and people and that no part of the world is immune from this problem.

Describing terrorism as the greatest threat to development, Akbar said it is important to eliminate terrorists and terrorist organisations.

"Even in the Quran it is written that the elimination of one Fasadi (trouble maker) is equivalent to saving the whole community."

But, the minister also stressed on the need to identify those accountable to support and finance terrorism.

Explaining about the terrorist organisations, he said that organisations like Islamic State, Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammad are not simply random militia groups of the kind we have seen but they have very important political objectives.

Through his address on the occasion, the Minister also warned those who provide shelter to terrorists and asked security agencies within the country and abroad to share the capacity building techniques in such seminars in the fight against terrorism and radicalisation.

--IANS

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