A/HRC/28/28
Financing of Terrorism, OHCHR briefed participants on human rights concerns relating to
the listing of persons and organizations and the freezing of assets. OHCHR contributed to
the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force /European Union dialogues held on 13
June 2014 in New York and 20 October in Brussels. OHCHR also contributed to the United
Nations Victims of Terrorism Support portal, a project of the Task Force Working Group
on Supporting and Highlighting Victims of Terrorism.
C.
Cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive
Directorate
15.
The Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate continue to take
account of relevant human rights concerns in their work programmes focused on the
implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005). On 24
October 2013, the Committee, under the chairmanship of Morocco, was briefed by the High
Commissioner and discussed the impact of broad and abusive counter-terrorism laws on
dissident voices, human rights defenders, journalists, minorities and indigenous peoples.
The Committee also held thematic discussions on several issues relevant to resolutions
1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005) all of which had human rights aspects. This included
consideration of adoption by Member States of special criminal procedures to investigate
and prosecute terrorism-related offences and the human rights safeguards adopted in this
regard, such as sunset clauses, the independent review of counter-terrorism legislation and
consultations with civil society on draft counter-terrorism legislation.
16.
Under the chairmanship of Lithuania since January 2014, the Counter-Terrorism
Committee has held discussions on the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes and on
respect for freedom of expression and the right to privacy, as well as a discussion on the
need for counter-terrorism laws and policies not to unduly hinder humanitarian access to
populations in need. The Committee also held an open special meeting on kidnapping for
ransom and terrorist hostage-taking in which a member of the Human Rights Council
Advisory Committee participated. In its revised process for assessing implementation of
Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2014), the Committee routinely
discusses with Member States a variety of human rights issues. In addition, the Committee
recently conducted a preliminary analysis of gaps in the capacity of Member States to
implement resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005) that may hinder the ability of States to
stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters, as requested by the Council in its resolution 2178
(2014). This included gaps in compliance with human rights obligations and the rule of law,
in particular those relating to the lack of clarity or precision in counter-terrorism laws,
failure to ensure fair treatment and due process for persons accused of terrorist offences,
and issues relating to compliance with international refugee law.
17.
In accordance with General Assembly resolution 68/178, the Counter-Terrorism
Committee Executive Directorate continued to liaise with OHCHR, the Special Rapporteur
on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism and other
human rights mechanisms and mandate holders, including in relation to the preparation of
and follow-up to country visits and the facilitation of technical assistance. The Executive
Director of the Executive Directorate met both with my predecessor and me and the Special
Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism to
discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. In October 2013, OHCHR human rights
experts participated in a workshop in Islamabad convened by the Executive Directorate for
South Asian police officers, prosecutors and judges on enhancing domestic and
international cooperation in counter-terrorism investigations, and in December 2013, a
workshop in Tunis convened by the Executive Directorate for prosecutors on the challenges
of bringing terrorists acting alone or in small cells to justice. In May 2014, the Office also
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