General Assembly condemns terrorism wherever and by whomever committed; hostage-taking and abduction condemned by Security Council.

General Assembly condemns terrorism wherever and by whomever committed; Hostage-taking and abduction condemned by Security Council

In action that was described as "historic" and "a truly important achievement", the General Assembly on 9 December 1985 unanimously and "unequivocally" condemned as "criminal", all acts, methods and practices of terrorism "wherever and by whomever committed, including those which jeopardize friendly relations among States and their security".

Nine days later, the Security Council, also acting unanimously, unequivocally condemned "all acts of hostage-taking and abduction", and called for the immediate safe release of all hostages and abducted persons "wherever and by whomever they are being held".

Assembly President Jaime de Pinies of Spain on 9 December said: "At a time when the world-wide escalation of acts of terrorism in all its forms endangers or takes innocent human lives, it is particularly gratifying that during this fortieth anniversary of the United Nations, all Member States have found it possible to agree on how to deal with an issue of such importance for the international community." The passage of the resolution was, he said, "an event that can be truly called historic".

On the same day, Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar called the assembly action "a truly important achievement" of the fortieth session. "It reflects a major move, on the widest possible scale, to deal with a problem having universal implications" he asserted.

The action was, he said, "an expression of the kind of international solidarity and mutual confidence that should always mark the endeavours of the United Nations--a solidarity for which, I believe, has been the principal thrust of the statements made during this session."

He concluded: "We need increasingly to cultivate this way of functioning in our Organization, in the interest of all Member States and the peoples of the world whom we serve."

At a press conference on 18 December, the Secretary-General said the adoption of the resolutions by the Assembly and the Security Council would give "a very, very constructive message to the whole international community, which is very much concerned about the increase in terrorist activities in the world."

Assembly text: By resolution 40/61, on measures to prevent international terrorism, the Assembly asked all States to take appropriate measures at the national level with a view to "the speedy and final elimination" of the problem, such as the harmonization of domestic legislation with existing international conventions, the fulfilment of assumed international obligations, and the prevention of the preparation and organization in their respective territories of act directed against other States.

States were called on to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting or participating in terrorist acts in other States, or acquiescing in activities within their territory directed towards the commission of such acts. They were also urged to co-operate with one another more closely, especially through the exchange of relevant information concerning the prevention and combating of terrorism, apprehension and prosecution or extradition of the perpetrators of terrorist acts, and the conclusion of special treaties "and/or the incorporation into appropriate bilateral treaties of special clauses, in particular regarding the extradition or prosecution of terrorists".

The Assembly urged States to contribute to "the progressive elimination of the causes underlying international terrorism". States were asked to pay special attention to all situations, including, inter alia, "colonialism, racism and situations involving mass and flagrant violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms and those involving alien occupation, that may give rise to international terrorism and may endanger international peace and security".

The Assembly asked States that had not done so to consider becoming party to existing international conventions relating to international terrorism. States were urged not to allow any circumstances to obstruct the application of appropriate law enforcement measures provided for in relevant conventions to which they were party to persons who committed acts of international terrorism covered by those conventions.

States were also asked to take all appropriate measures to prevent terrorist attacks against civil aviation transport and other forms of public transport. The International Civil Aviation Organization was requested to continue efforts to promote universal acceptance of and strict compliance with international...