Recommended International Practices, Codes and Standards

For the implementation of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005

The Counter-Terrorism Committee has published a directory of international good practices, codes and standards to assist Member States in their implementation of Security Council resolution 1624 (2005). The new directory, which complements the existing directory of recommended international best practices, codes and standards for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001), was introduced to Member States by the Chairman of the Committee and the Executive Director of CTED at a briefing of 20 December 2010.

Security Council resolution 1373 (2001)

The directory of international best practices, codes and standards relevant to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) compiles, in a single reference document, the best practices, codes and standards of international and regional organizations of relevance to the various provisions of the resolution. The directory lists recommended practices that Member States are encouraged to apply, taking into account their own circumstances and needs, in order to maximize their efforts to implement the resolution. It was prepared pursuant to several resolutions of the Council referring to best practices, codes and standards as tools that can assist States in their implementation of the resolution. In its resolution 1377 (2001), the Council invites the Committee "to explore ways in which States can be assisted, and in particular to explore with international, regional and subregional organizations…the promotion of best-practice in the areas covered by resolution 1373 (2001), including the preparation of model laws as appropriate…." In its resolution 1456 (2003), paragraph 4 (iii), the Council requests the Committee, in monitoring implementation of the resolution, "to bear in mind all international best practices, codes and standards which are relevant to the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001)", and in its resolution 1566 (2004), paragraph 7, requests the Committee "in consultation with relevant international, regional and subregional organizations and the United Nations bodies to develop a set of best practices to assist States in implementing the provisions of resolution 1373 (2001) related to the financing of terrorism".

Security Council resolution 1624 (2005)

The directory of international good practices, codes and standards relevant to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1624 (2005) addresses a number of issues that are of increasing concern to the international community, such as prohibition of incitement to commit terrorist acts, extremism, and radicalization leading to violence, and was prepared in response to the desire of the Council that the Committee and CTED focus increased attention on resolution 1624 (2005) in their dialogue with Member States. The Council, in its resolution 1963 (2010) of 20 December 2010, encourages CTED, acting in close cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) and its relevant working groups, to develop strategies that include countering incitement to commit terrorist acts motivated by extremism and intolerance and facilitating technical assistance for its implementation. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy also calls on Member States to continue to work to adopt such measures as may be necessary and appropriate, and in accordance with their respective obligations under international law, to prohibit by law incitement to commit a terrorist act or acts and to prevent such conduct. The new directory covers a broad range of international good practices, codes and standards dealing with issues such as criminalization of incitement, border control, safe haven, passenger security, dialogue among civilizations, prevention of acts of terrorism motivated by intolerance and extremism and prevention, and the subversion of educational, cultural and religious institutions by terrorists. It includes available good practices from various United Nations entities and international and regional organizations, including the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (AOC), the European Union, the Organization of African States (OAS), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), UNESCO, UNICRI and UNODC. The directory (the first reference tool adopted for dissemination by the Council for the implementation of resolution 1624 (2005)), provides helpful guidance for dealing with issues related to incitement.

It should be noted that the practices, codes and standards set forth in the two directories are not to be regarded as mandatory, but rather as additional tools in the implementation of the two resolutions. Member States are encouraged to use any of the practices, codes and standards listed in the directories, as appropriate.

How to use the directories

To access the information in the directories, it suffices to point and click on the desired reference document, best practice, code or standard in order to have it displayed; click on an originating organization or any of its instruments to access the organization’s website or the text of the relevant convention or other instrument.

For questions and clarifications on the best practices listed in the directories, Member States are directed to contact the originating organizations. This will ensure an accurate interpretation and application of the recommended best practices, codes and standards.

The directories are by no means exhaustive; they will be updated by the Committee on a regular basis in order to keep pace with new developments in the work of the originating organizations.

Go to the Directories:

This page was last updated on: 11-Mar-2016 3:43 PM EST