Statement by Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett at the UN Security Council Briefing on “Threats to International Peace and Security caused by Terrorist Acts"

I would like to thank USG Voronkov and Ms. Gherman for their updates and acknowledge their efforts in the preparation of the report being considered today. I also thank the Secretary General of INTERPOL, Mr. Jürgen Stock for the insights provided. We recognize and appreciate INTERPOL’s important role in combating terrorism and its strong collaboration with the United Nations and Security Council. 

Guyana takes note of the Secretary-General’s report and the worrying trends identified concerning the activities of ISIL/Da’esh. We remain primarily concerned about some of the key trends highlighted in the report, including the escalation of threats of terrorism and violence in West Africa and the Sahel and rising threat levels in Europe; the increased lethality of terrorist attacks;  the development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology and their weaponization; the proliferation and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons and increased use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs); and the increased use of cryptocurrencies to finance terrorist activities.

Guyana joins the international community in condemning all forms and manifestations of terrorism and remains deeply committed to addressing this grave challenge in a manner consistent with international law, international human rights law, and the Charter of the United Nations.

Terrorism continues to pose a clear and present danger to the stability and security of nations. Its impact transcends borders and affects communities indiscriminately, thriving especially in conflict areas. It also disrupts the social fabric of communities and undermines the rule of law. Further to its effects on nations, terrorists engage in sexual and gender-based violence, including rape, torture, and sexual slavery.

In UNITAD’s report on sexual violence against women and girls committed by ISIL in Iraq between 2014 and 2017, it was noted that ISIL used sexual violence exclusively against women and girls.

To this end, there is a need for concerted, collaborative efforts to counter terrorism and its pernicious impacts on global peace and security. This also means ensuring increased representation of women in the decision-making processes for anti-terrorism laws and policies and having specialized units within security forces and the justice systems that can provide training to investigate sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism.

In addressing this scourge, it is also necessary to adopt preventive measures that address the root causes, including poverty, marginalization, and lack of access to education and economic opportunities, inter alia.

Guyana underscores the need to hold the various actors of terrorism, including the financiers, perpetrators, organizers and sponsors accountable; we also urge the international community to support, multiply and enforce all efforts directed toward the eradication of terrorism.

In this vein, we acknowledge the pivotal role of the United Nations agencies and organs, and INTERPOL in combating terrorism and fostering a coordinated, multilateral response to this global challenge. We support all initiatives aimed at bolstering the capacity of Member States to combat terrorism, fostering dialogue and cooperation, and championing strategic partnerships to comprehensively counter this threat.

In closing, I wish to reiterate Guyana’s unwavering commitment to working collectively with the international community to combat the scourge of terrorism and safeguard international peace and security.

I thank you.