Statement by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, at Security Council meeting on "Threats to International Peace and Security caused by Terrorist Acts"
Mr. President,
I thank USG Voronkov and Executive Director Gherman for their updates and recognize their efforts in preparing the report being considered today.
Mr. President,
Terrorism continues to threaten global peace and security and negatively impact the socio-economic well-being of States. Guyana condemns terrorism in all its forms and underscores the need to hold all perpetrators accountable.
Regrettably, terrorism is on the increase. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace’s Global Terrorism Index, deaths from terrorism increased by 22% in 2023, reaching 8,352 deaths, the highest level since 2017. The average number of deaths per terrorist attack has also increased indicating that attacks have become more deadly.
Contributing factors to this growing threat include unemployment, unmet economic expectations, technological advancements, extremist ideologies, inequalities and marginalization, and weak governance. These factors are further compounded by challenges related to climate change and food insecurity in many areas. In sum, Mr. President, there is a close link between underdevelopment and terrorism, reinforcing the conviction that there can be no peace without sustainable development and no sustainable development without peace.
Guyana is particularly concerned about the growing recruitment, radicalization and victimization of youths by terrorist groups and the increased involvement of children in terrorist activities.
In the Secretary-General's report on children and armed conflict, it was noted that the highest number of violations against children in armed conflict, involved recruitment, use and abduction, violations that are key to the activities of terrorist groups that use children in their operations. In fact, the report confirms that children were detained for actual or alleged association with armed groups, including those designated as terrorist groups by the United Nations.
Mr. President,
Guyana remains concerned about the threat posed by ISIL to Africa, especially in West Africa and the Sahel. We are particularly alarmed at the high number of internally displaced persons, the complex attacks against security forces, the incidents of harassment and extortion as well as the number of mass atrocities against civilians in West Africa and the Sahel. The significant impact of Da’esh’s activities on children in central Sahel is concerning. We note, for example, that the terrorist group ISWAP is abducting, recruiting and sexually violating children. Guyana condemns these actions in the strongest terms and calls for all perpetrators to be held accountable. Children are among the most vulnerable groups, and everything must be done to protect them. The general deterioration in the protection of civilians and the ongoing violations of human rights must also cease.
Guyana shares the concern of the Secretary-General about the risk posed by the continued expansion of terrorist groups for increasing instability across West Africa and the Sahel. We therefore welcome the launch of the Abuja Process in April, to coordinate and mobilize resources for counter terrorism in the African region. It is important for the international community to fully support this process.
We also acknowledge the efforts of the United Nations and its agencies in countering the threat posed by Da’esh by enhancing capacities in border management and security, and strengthening cooperation between international partners and African Member States, among other areas.
Mr. President,
To effectively counter the threat of terrorism, including in West Africa and the Sahel region, we must target its root causes. Preventive measures should therefore be geared toward addressing structural poverty and inequality, economic disparities, and lack of education, among others. We must also examine the incidents of unconstitutional change in Government since this impacts the region’s stability and the strength of its democracy. The international community must also continue to support the counter terrorism initiatives of regional bodies, including ECOWAS. There must be deliberate strategies for active and continuous collaboration between government stakeholders and local communities for combatting terrorism. Youth participation in this is pivotal.
Regional and international cooperation is also key to these preventive measures including in the areas of capacity-building for law enforcement and judiciary personnel, enhancing border security, sharing of intelligence, and disruption of terrorist financing.
Mr. President,
As the ones most disproportionately affected by terrorist activities, youths’ increased participation in the decision-making processes for anti-terrorism laws and policies should be at the centre of preventive measures. Investments in the education and empowerment of youths must be prioritized. They must also have adequate opportunities for meaningful employment to prevent them from being targets for recruitment by terrorist groups.
Guyana emphasizes the obligation of Member States to take adequate steps to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts and to refrain from providing support to entities or persons involved in such acts.
In closing, I wish to reiterate Guyana’s commitment to working with the international community to address the challenges posed by terrorism consistent with international law, international human rights law, and the Charter of the United Nations.
I thank you.
