Draft Resolution submitted by the Australian Delegation

THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM

Condemning in the strongest possible terms the continued perpetration of terrorist acts in the region and worldwide;

Recognising that international terrorism constitutes a threat to all countries and peoples, irrespective of faith, nationality, culture or community;

Resolved that terrorism is a crime that cannot be justified under any circumstances, regardless of motive, location, timing or identity of the perpetrator;

Declaring that terrorism contravenes the laws, religious beliefs and fundamental values of all countries and should not seek to be associated with any religion, race or nationality;

Concerned at the threat of terrorist acquisition and use of chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological materials or weapons;

Welcoming the progress achieved through national counter-terrorism efforts, regional cooperation, and international efforts including continuing action in the United Nations, and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism;

Reaffirming our shared determination to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms through close and effective international cooperation;

Noting with concern the links between international terrorism and transnational organised crime;

Recognising the importance of effective international cooperation at all levels to combating international terrorism and the need for countries to take concerted and resolute action.

Resolves to:

1.      Urge all states to accede to and implement all United Nations counter-terrorism conventions and protocols;

2.      Call on all states to implement effectively all United Nations Security Council counter-terrorism related resolutions;

3.      Encourage all states to enhance further national, regional and international cooperation and coordination efforts among police, defence, justice, customs, immigration, intelligence and other relevant agencies in order to ensure more effective law enforcement, border control and intelligence sharing;

4.      Underline the continued importance of well-targeted, practical and coordinated counter-terrorism capacity building to develop the capabilities of states to prevent, combat and respond to terrorism;

5.      Emphasise the need for enhanced international cooperation to better understand and address the particular threat of terrorist acquisition and use of chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological materials or weapons;

6.      Encourage all states to uphold universal human rights standards in the fight against terrorism, recognising that effective mitigation of the terrorist threat requires not only an appropriate security response but also broader strategies to enhance social cohesion and community resilience, and to lessen the appeal of radical ideologies linked to violent extremism; and

7.      Reaffirm the need for increased cooperation between member states to combat transnational crime, such as money laundering, trade in illicit drugs, people smuggling and human trafficking, which reinforce and complement counter-terrorism efforts.