UN human rights council adopts resolution on effects of terrorism

The UN Human Rights Council on Thursday adopted 12 texts before the closure of its month-long 31st regular session, including a resolution on the effects of terrorism on the enjoyment of human rights.

Concerning the resolution on the effects of terrorism on the enjoyment of all human rights, adopted by a vote of 28 in favor, 14 against, and five abstentions, the Council urged states to take appropriate measures to duly investigate the incitement, preparation or commission of acts of terrorism, and to bring to justice those engaged in such acts.

The Council in the resolution asks states and the international community to take measures, including through education, awareness-raising, the media and human rights education and training, to effectively address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism.

States are also asked to adopt rehabilitation and reintegration strategies for returning foreign terrorist fighters, in line with the good practices set out in the Hague-Marrakech memorandum of the global counterterrorism forum.

Belgium, attacked by terror on Tuesday, voted against the resolution, saying the text sends a "wrong message" over how challenges should be tackled.

Belgium said that the international community could not be guided by fear, its responsibility was to pursue the establishment of a framework which preserved its values.

"Belgium has been struck by cowardly and blind attacks, and it was not just one nation and one people which had been attacked -- over 49 nationalities were among those killed or injured -- it was a system of values which had been attacked, as well as democracy and peaceful coexistence," a representative from Belgium said. Endit