ISSUE: Measures to counter terrorist groups, including anti-youth recruitment measures

Transcription

1 FORUM: International Peace and Security ISSUE: Measures to counter terrorist groups, including anti-youth recruitment measures Student Officer: Angelina Kozhokar Position: Chair Introduction Terrorist organizations are painfully present in today s world. Despite the measures taken, the impact of terrorism seems to grow, looming over the planet with its constant presence in the media since the rise of the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq. Since its beginning in 2012, the Islamic State is believed to have caused the death of more than 170,000 civilians in Iraq. IS is expertly capturing the attention of the media through terror: the gruesome beheadings of journalists and politicians that have been sent as a threat to democracy and peace were a major shock to civilians and governments, and the symbolic destruction of temples and artifacts at the World Heritage site in Palmyra, Syria has left historians and archeologists devastated. But besides IS, there are another minimum of 40 active terrorist groups that are hurting civilians and instilling fear across the globe, such as Boko Haram, which is responsible for the massacre of 2000 civilians in Nigeria this last January. Terror has been spread rapidly across the media, and not only in the literal sense: media has been facilitating the expansion of these organizations by allowing them to appeal to people outside of their domain, affecting Middle Eastern and Western populations especially, and encouraging these civilians to pursue perverse goals. According to the Syrian Human Rights Committee, IS or Daesh in Iraq and Syria has recruited at least 800 youths under the age of 18. The report indicated that ISIS strategies for recruiting children, as well as adults, provide participants with activities, entertainment and an atmosphere that is often lacking in Syria due to ongoing violence and conflict, reaching out to their targets by propaganda taught in schools and IS-based institutions. Daesh has been reaching far beyond the bounds of its caliphate, as well. Internet social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and the creation of ISIS dedicated websites has been helping the spread of its blood-thirsty ideas. The extremists appeal to their recruits with the promise of a luxurious lifestyle, often referred to as the five-star jihad, and the promise of a new life with a purpose and hope for spiritual peace. Since September 11 th 2001, after the terror attack on the World Trade Center towers, there have been strong organized actions against terrorism. In 2006, all UN member states finally acknowledged the importance of creating an international organization to fight this issue. The first step taken by the member states was the creation of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT), founded in 2011 by Saudi Arabian initiative, a UN institution dedicated to the eradication of terrorism and the endorsement of peace. However technology has evolved since 2001, becoming more accessible, and it has turned the world smaller as a result giving these organizations a chance to spread their influence. Our approach to terrorism must be updated, and all member states need to unite together again, and review their old policies.

2 Definition of Key Terms Terrorism Under the Terrorism Act 2000, established in the UK after a series of attacks from the terrorist organization of the Provisional Irish Republican Army on Ireland and England, terrorism is defined as the use or threat of action where: The use or threat is designed to influence a government or an international governmental organization or to intimidate the public or a section of a public, [ ] The use or threat is made for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial, or ideological cause, The action falls into the following categories: o Involves serious violence against a person, o Involves serious damage to property, o Endangers a person s life, other than that of the person committing the action, o Creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public, or o Is designed seriously to interfere with or disrupt an electronic system. To be considered a suspected terrorist, a subject has to commit an offence under sections 11, 12, 15 to 18, 54 and 56 to 63 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and may be arrested without the need of a warrant by a constable or by a member of Her Majesty s Forces. Sample offences include, but are not limited to: Weapon training, Publishing information about members of armed forces, Terrorist bombing, Trafficking of terrorist property, such as weapons. Under the US Code of Federal Regulations, terrorism is defined as: "the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives." Every different Member State has a different interpretation of terrorism under their law.* There is no international definition of terrorism that the United Nations has agreed upon. Violence According to the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), a project founded in January 2004 in the World Health Organization (WHO) hosted Milestones of a global campaign for violence prevention, violence is defined as: "the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.

3 The terroristic purpose of violence is to intimidate or threaten some third party, be it government or the public. Youth-Recruitment for Terrorism The utilization of youth under the legal age limit for the purpose of terroristic activity. A variety of tactics are used to appeal to this population, such as, but not limited to: financial assistance, familiallike bonds, or excitement, making the joining of such group attractive. However, some tactics also involve the use of force or trickery. These organizations have been known to use schools and academic institutions to propagate radical ideas and indoctrinate children in their ideologies, as well as physical and psychological training for extreme acts. Child Soldier The United Nations defines a child soldier as A child associated with an armed force or armed group refers to any person below 18 years of age who is, or who has been, recruited or used by an armed force or armed group in any capacity, including but not limited to children, boys and girls, used as fighters, cooks, porters, spies or for sexual purposes. Extremism As Andrej Soltar pointed out in his paper about the interpretation of extremism in Policing in Central and Eastern Europe: Dilemmas of Contemporary Criminal Justice, because each member state and their delegates personally will have a different interpretation personally*, it is hard to pinpoint the exact definition of extremism. There are many factors that influence the definition itself, such as a (non)democratic nature of the political system, the prevailing political culture, the system of values, ideology, political goals, personal characteristics and experiences, ethnocentrism, and many others. Extremism is essentially a political term which determines the activities that are not in accordance with norms of the state, are fully intolerant toward others, reject democracy as a means of governance and the way of problem solving and also reject the existing social order. Generally, terrorist organizations exhibit a form of extremism, characteristically religious. Among these extremists, various ideologies are propagated, such as anarchism, communism, conservative or fundamentalist, nationalist and more. However, a fragment of these groups appear to be narcoticsdriven, meaning based on the promotion of the trade of drugs. Jihad In Arabic, the word jihad means struggle or exerted effort, it can also be interpreted as the fight within oneself against sin or the fight for self-improvement, but many Islamic extremists have perverted this idea into a word that proclaims a fight against non-believers in Islam. It is a popular term and concept among Islamic extremists. Counter Terrorism The military or political attempts to thwart terrorist activities. For example, the National Counterterrorism Center of the USA is such a political attempt. Through numerous governmental

4 agencies, the counterterrorism center attempts two approaches for the methods used against terrorism in the US: The first is to make citizens safer from terrorist threats through screening of airline passengers, placing video cameras and metal detectors in public places, random patrols of bomb-sniffing dogs, etc. The second is neutralization of terrorists through arrests, prosecutions, assassinations, raids on terrorist facilities, military action, etc. Full counterterrorism encompasses threat reduction by making the US a "harder target" and actively "going after" terrorists. Naturally, it is necessary for member states to decide their own policies while battling terror and the actions of this organization do not have to be taken exemplarily. Global Coalition to Counter ISIL 65 member states have come together with the initiative of the USA to take action against the Islamic State, a terrorist organization undermining stability in Iraq, Syria, and other parts of the Middle East. Established in September of 2014, and led by Special President Envoy General John R. Allen, the coalition is meant to take action in the following aspects: 1. Providing military support to our partners; 2. Impeding the flow of foreign fighters; 3. Stopping ISIL's financing and funding; 4. Addressing humanitarian crises in the region; and 5. Exposing ISIL's true nature. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Terrorism Prevention The UNODC is a UN based organization that is designed for fighting crime worldwide. Its programmes for include: 1. Countering transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking and illicit drug trafficking 2. Countering corruption 3. Terrorism prevention 4. Justice 5. Prevention, treatment and reintegration, and alternative development 6. Research, trend analysis and forensics 7. Policy support The Terrorism Prevention Branch of the UNODC has been providing member states with legal and technical assistance to fight terror. The Branch works to assist Member States, upon request, with the ratification, legislative incorporation and implementation of the universal legal framework against terrorism.

5 Background Information Terrorist organizations: evidence shows that such groups have been increasingly recruiting schoolaged children into their forces. Preliminary research done by the United States Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools in 2009 found that out of 42 currently active terrorist groups, 23 utilize youths to some extent in their activities. The number of child recruits is only expected to have risen, according to trends, especially due to their frequenting use of Internet and social networking websites which can be used to promote extreme ideas. It is crucially important to understand why some children and teenagers enter into terrorist organizations. Despite the use of force, there are many ways through which terrorist organizations make their image and the idea of joining their cause appealing. Stories of 2,032 adolescents involved in Al Qaeda collected by American Colonel J. M. Vernhaus have shown that rather than be recruited many found the idea of joining their ranks appealing. Al Qaeda spun heroic stories and publicized their group as more than an organization it was part of an ideology that romanticized the jihad. It sent a message of Muslim oppression, pain and suffering that the outside world wielded on it. Such a strong significance is alluring to the developmental necessities of adolescents, and many become part of the group thanks to the desire to fulfill themselves or a need. The subjects who gave themselves into this radicalization were classified into four different psychological profiles: revenge seekers needing an outlet for anger and frustration, status seekers seeking social recognition, identity seekers who need to belong, and thrill seekers looking for excitement. There are methods to calm these urges; revenge seekers tend to be happiest and most self-fulfilled with programs that help with their frustration, such as sports, creativity outlets or political discussions. These personality types could be at risk of not only becoming part of promoting terror, they can also be influenced and motivated to strike alone and becoming lone wolves. Characters such as Colleen LaRose or Jihad Jane, Bruce Ivins, and Eric Rudolph acted alone and independent of their organization or because of personal motives, due to dissatisfaction with their social fitting and want for change. Such persons usually go to the methods of public terror to demonstrate their contempt to society and need for change. However, it is important to note that many youths are recruited forcibly and against their own will and health. For example, the group by the name of the Lord s Resistance Army led by Joseph Kony in Uganda is notorious for the kidnapping and use of children in combat and for other purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to take military as well as psychological approaches in the recruitment of youth. There are entities, such as the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, which have brought valuable advances towards the eradication of terrorism in the Middle East. This broad and multifaceted coalition has helped acquire partnerships and military forces, among other useful tools, and reduced ISIL s presence in some areas of Iraq and Syria. Previous Attempts to Solve the Issue A/RES/64/297 The United Nations global counter-terrorism strategy (8 September 2010)

6 A/RES/66/10 United Nations counter-terrorism centre (18 November 2011) A/RES/66/50 Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction (2 December 2011) A/RES/68/119 Measures to eliminate international terrorism (16 December 2013) A/RES/68/178 Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism (18 December 2013) Possible Solutions New measures to counter terrorism are required in the areas of technology and networking, and the use of emerging chemical and biological weapons. Within the United Nations, the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is responsible for the role of fighting these organizations and keeping up with their evolution. It is responsible for providing legal assistance to affected areas and Member States upon request and ratification. The UN calls upon all members states to cooperate fully with the UNODC and its counter terrorism and anti-youth recruitment programs. The UNODC is currently reviewing: Countering the use of cyber terrorism, and terror promotion through the Internet, Support and assistance to victims of terrorist attacks, Tacking chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear forms of attack, Promoting fundamental rights while fighting terrorism, And countering terrorism financing. The United Nations is predisposed to strengthen and unite nations against this threat and other criminal matters related to terrorism. Each terrorist threat is different and unique, and the UNODC endorses the application of solutions adapted to each threat. Since this resolution focuses on youth recruitment, it is important to understand the great role that local governments and law enforcement play in the regulation of this issue. However, it is also vital to consider the psychological aspects that draw youth, and adults alike, to these groups and consider the value of education, ethics, and mental health of a child or teenager. Educational programs that promote multi-cultural and religious awareness could help educate citizens about ethics and morality, thus encouraging peaceful, tolerating and supportive relationships between the participants in these programs. The creation of jobs or career opportunities could give purpose to individuals of the profile corresponding to youths appealed to by terrorist groups, such as the unemployed. Notes from the Chair *It is strongly recommended to research what interpretation of terrorism and extremism your nation has incorporated into their law code. It is good to be aware of the State policy and methods of combat as well. Also note which organizations and acts are considered to be terroristic; the United States might have a different policy towards terrorism than Iran or Burundi.

7 Bibliography United Kingdom. Home Office and Northern Ireland Office. Terrorism Act London: National Archives, Legislation.gov.uk. Open Government Liscence V3.0. Web. 20 Aug < United States of America. Federal Bureau of Investigation. FBI - Terrorism Definition. FBI.gov, n.d. Web. 20 Aug < Switzerland. World Health Organization. N.p.: n.p., WHO The Definition and Typology of Violence. World Health Organization. Web. 01 Sept < "UN 101." Human Rights Voices, n.d. Web. 21 Aug < United States. US Department of Education. Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools. Recruitment and Organzation of School-Aged Youth by International Terrorist Groups. By Catherine Bott, W. James Castan, and Robetson Dickens. Arlington, VA: Homeland Security Insitute, Cleanitproject.eu. Web. 1 Sept < United States. United States Institute of Peace. Special Report: Why Youth Join Al-Qaeda. By John M. Vernhaus. Washington, DC: United Institute of Peace, Print. Soltar, Andrej. "Some Problems with a Definition and Perception of Extremism within a Society." (2004): n. pag. National Criminal Justice Reference Centre. Web. 1 Sept < Simon, Jeffrey D. "An Army of One." Foreign Policy An Army of One Comments. N.p., 17 Apr Web. 04 Sept < "Child Recruitment United Nations Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Children and Armed Conflict." United Nations Office of the Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral for Children and Armed Conflict. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Sept < Mark, Monica. "Boko Haram's "deadliest Massacre"" TheGuardian.com. N.p., 10 Jan Web. 12 Oct Engel, Pamela. "ISIS Has Mastered a Crucial Recruiting Tactic No Terrorist Group Has Ever Conquered." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 09 May Web. 11 Oct "Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, CTITF." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 11 Oct

8 Kolodkin, Barry. "What Is Counterterrorism?" About.com News & Issues. About News, n.d. Web. 11 Oct "The Global Coalition to Counter ISIL." U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State, n.d. Web. 11 Oct "Leaders' Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism." The White House. The White House, 29 Sept Web. 11 Oct < "United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime." Terrorism Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct <