Counter-Terrorism Committee

The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) is a subsidiary body of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), established to strengthen the international community’s ability to prevent and combat terrorism worldwide. It plays a central role in monitoring the implementation of global counter-terrorism measures and in promoting international cooperation, legal reforms, and capacity-building initiatives among member states.

Establishment and Background

The Counter-Terrorism Committee was established on 28 September 2001 under UN Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001), adopted unanimously in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. The resolution marked a turning point in global counter-terrorism efforts, creating a legal and institutional framework for collective action against terrorism.
Resolution 1373 imposed binding obligations on all UN member states to take concrete steps to combat terrorism, including:

• Preventing and suppressing the financing of terrorism.
• Criminalising acts of terrorism and associated activities.
• Enhancing border security and information sharing.
• Denying safe haven to terrorists and their supporters.
• Strengthening international cooperation in law enforcement and judicial matters.

The CTC was mandated to monitor how states implement these obligations and to facilitate assistance to those requiring support in meeting the requirements of the resolution.

Structure and Functioning

The Counter-Terrorism Committee is composed of all 15 members of the United Nations Security Council, including both permanent and non-permanent members. The Chairperson of the Committee is appointed from among the Council’s members and typically serves for a one-year term.
To enhance its operational capacity, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) was established in 2004 through UN Security Council Resolution 1535 (2004). The CTED functions as the secretariat and expert body of the Committee, assisting in:

• Reviewing member states’ counter-terrorism legislation and practices.
• Identifying technical and capacity-building needs.
• Facilitating assistance and coordination with international, regional, and sub-regional organisations.
• Promoting the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions.

The CTED conducts country visits, assessments, and dialogue with national authorities to evaluate compliance and provide guidance on strengthening institutional frameworks.

Key Resolutions and Mandates

In addition to Resolution 1373 (2001), several subsequent resolutions expanded and refined the CTC’s mandate:

• Resolution 1624 (2005): Focused on preventing incitement to terrorism, promoting dialogue among civilisations, and enhancing tolerance and understanding among peoples.
• Resolution 2178 (2014): Addressed the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) and called for measures to prevent their recruitment, travel, and financing.
• Resolution 2395 (2017): Renewed the mandate of CTED and strengthened its role in assessing evolving terrorist threats.
• Resolution 2617 (2021): Extended CTED’s mandate until 2025 and emphasised the need to address emerging technologies, online radicalisation, and terrorist financing.

These resolutions collectively form the legal foundation of the CTC’s global counter-terrorism efforts.

Objectives and Activities

The Committee’s work focuses on four primary objectives:

1. Monitoring Implementation: Assessing how member states comply with Security Council resolutions related to terrorism.
2. Facilitating Assistance: Helping countries develop legal and institutional frameworks, including technical, financial, and training support.
3. Promoting International Cooperation: Encouraging collaboration between member states, UN agencies, and regional organisations in combating terrorism.
4. Identifying Emerging Threats: Analysing new patterns of terrorism, such as cyberterrorism, online radicalisation, and misuse of technology by terrorist groups.

CTED also organises thematic discussions, workshops, and briefings on counter-terrorism issues, including the protection of human rights in counter-terrorism efforts.

Coordination with Other Bodies

The Counter-Terrorism Committee works closely with several other UN and international entities, forming part of the broader UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, which ensures coherence in the UN’s counter-terrorism work. Key partners include:

• UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)
• INTERPOL and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
• Regional organisations such as the European Union (EU), African Union (AU), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

This coordination ensures that global counter-terrorism efforts remain consistent, transparent, and adaptable to evolving threats.

Human Rights and Rule of Law Considerations

While countering terrorism is a global priority, the CTC and CTED emphasise that all counter-terrorism measures must comply with international human rights law, refugee law, and humanitarian law. The Committee works to ensure that security measures do not undermine fundamental freedoms, due process, or democratic governance.

India’s Role and Involvement

India has played an active role in the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee. As a country frequently affected by cross-border terrorism, India has consistently advocated for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to counter-terrorism within the UN framework.
In 2022, India chaired the Counter-Terrorism Committee during its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Under its chairmanship, the Committee convened a special meeting in Mumbai and New Delhi, focusing on the misuse of emerging technologies such as drones, the internet, and social media by terrorist organisations. This marked a significant moment in the global counter-terrorism dialogue, highlighting India’s leadership role.