Action to Counter Terrorism Countering terrorism requires addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism All too often we are reminded that terrorism continues to inflict pain and suffering on people’s lives all over the world. Almost no week goes by without an act of terrorism taking place somewhere in the world, indiscriminately affecting innocent people who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Countering this scourge is in the interest of all nations and the issue has been on the agenda of the United Nations for decades. Eighteen universal instruments (fourteen instruments and four amendments) against international terrorism have been elaborated within the framework of the United Nations system relating to specific terrorist activities. To consolidate and enhance these activities, Member States in September 2006 embarked upon a new phase in their counter-terrorism efforts by agreeing on a global strategy to counter terrorism.
United Nations Peacebuilding Fund ited Nations Department of Political Affairs - Peacebuilding Building lasting peace in war-torn societies is among the most daunting of challenges for global peace and security. Failure is costly: some nations emerge painfully from devastating conflicts only to slide right back into violence. Yet success requires sustained international support for national efforts across the broadest range of activities -- monitoring ceasefires; demobilizing and reintegrating combatants; assisting the return of refugees and displaced persons; supporting implementation of a peace process; providing electoral assistance; supporting justice and security sector reform; enhancing human rights protections and fostering reconciliation after past atrocities. Recognizing that the United Nations needs to better anticipate and respond to the challenges of peace- building, the 2005 World Summit approved the creation of a new Peacebuilding Commission.
Security Council Briefed by Force Commanders of Missions in Liberia, Sudan, Haiti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Middle East Truce Supervision Organization Security Council 6370th Meeting (AM) Peacekeeping Head, Introducing Discussion, Says Peacekeeping Surge Has Reached Plateau, Priority Now on Consolidation of Existing Missions, Accelerating Reform The expansive “surge” of United Nations peacekeeping of past years had reached a plateau and the priority now was consolidation of existing missions and accelerating reforms, the Under-Secretary-General of Peacekeeping Operations said today, as he introduced briefings by five Force Commanders to the Security Council. At today’s briefing, Mr. Also briefing the Council was Major-General Robert Mood, Head of Mission and Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO); and Major-General Luiz Guilherme Paul Cruz, Force Commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The Force Commanders gave a brief survey of developments concerning their missions as well as an overview of current deployment. Background Statements
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ited Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) Restoring a secure and stable environment . The UN mission succeeded a Multinational Interim Force (MIF) authorized by the Security Council in February 2004 after President Bertrand Aristide departed Haiti for exile in the aftermath of an armed conflict which spread to several cities across the country. The devastating earthquake of 12 January 2010, which resulted in more than 220,000 deaths (according to Haitian Government figures), including 96 UN peacekeepers, delivered a severe blow to country's already shaky economy and infrastructure. The Security Council, by resolution 1908 of 19 January 2010, endorsed the Secretary-General's recommendation to increase the overall force levels of MINUSTAH to support the immediate recovery, reconstruction and stability efforts in the country. The Mission has continued to mobilize its logistical resources to assist in the effort to contain and treat the cholera outbreak of October 2010.
Rwanda Civil War No other recent conflict in Africa has taken as high a toll in such a short period of time as the Rwanda genocide, in which between half a million and a million people were massacred. From April to July 1994, extremist political groups organized the massacre, directed primarily at the minority Tutsi ethnic group, but also against those from the Hutu majority who opposed the killings or had been active in the pro-democracy movement. The slaughter ended when rebel forces of the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) overthrew the genocidal government. However, ongoing political tensions, guerrilla warfare and massive refugee movements have continued to sow political instability and humanitarian crises throughout the Great Lakes region, including in neighbouring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). Rwanda's population consists of three ethnic groups: Hutus (88%), Tutsis (11%), and Twa pygmies (1%). Background
ited Nations Department of Political Affairs - Peacemaking and Conflict Prevention Since its establishment more than six decades ago, the United Nations has played a preeminent role in the peaceful resolution of armed conflict around the world. UN peacemaking flourished in the decade following the end of the Cold War, as many longstanding armed conflicts were brought to an end through political negotiated settlements often brokered and implemented with strong United Nations involvement. The organization remains highly active in this field today, working increasingly in partnership with regional organizations in order to bring ongoing conflicts to an end, and to prevent new crises from emerging or escalating. Anchoring the UN's peacemaking efforts is the United Nations Department of Political Affairs. Efforts are ongoing to bolster UN peacemaking capacity, in particular by strengthening the ability of the organization to practice preventive diplomacy and to employ and support mediation in order to head off potential crises at an early stage.