UN Legal Counsel urges action to complete comprehensive terrorism convention

The United Nations General Assembly’s Legal Committee must act to conclude a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs has said.

Addressing the Committee as it began its work on Monday, Nicolas Michel noted that the Outcome document adopted by the just-concluded 2005 World Summit contained key references to international law. That text, adopted by national leaders from across the globe, stressed the need to “make every effort to reach an agreement on and conclude a comprehensive convention on international terrorism” during the Assembly’s current session.

The Committee’s Chairman, Juan Antonio Yañez-Barnuevo of Spain, agreed that the comprehensive convention is a top priority. “We must also respond positively to the expectations of our leaders who have in the Outcome document of the Summit entrusted us with the task of doing everything possible to reach agreement on a comprehensive convention on international terrorism,” he said. “And I know all of you will make the immediate efforts to live up to those expectations.”