It is unfortunate that the UNSC could not seize the opportunity to look beyond muscle flexing to cooperate on a core issue of global security.
he last day of presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2020 left a grim memory for Indonesia, as well as like-minded countries, as the United States vetoed the draft resolution on prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration (PRR) of terrorists. Gaining support from 14 members, an opportunity for a comprehensive approach to tackle terrorism and violent extremism has been missed by the veto.
The aim of the resolution was to address the prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration of terrorists, including foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) and their accompanying family members. The US vetoed it because it failed to include a provision regarding the repatriation of FTFs to their countries of origin or nationality.
The veto could have dire repercussions for the relationships among current UNSC members and their efforts to address the terrorism threat that has been plaguing international affairs.
The US veto on the Indonesia-led resolution neglected the fact that terrorism and violent extremism are not limited to the repatriation of FTFs and their family members, but also to myriad aspects related to whole PRR strategies.
The whole PRR strategy, as mentioned in the draft resolution, suggested comprehensive efforts to prevent and counter terrorism, including on how they are being rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. The resolution provided a strong prosecution aspect and prescribed clear and practical rehabilitation and reintegration elements to develop long-term methods to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
The draft was not only aimed at FTFs who fought on foreign soil, hence it would broaden the scope of the repatriation issue.
This draft also stressed the importance of “a whole government approach” by recognizing the roles of families and civil society organizations, religious leaders and women’s full participation and leadership. In addition to that, this document covered the overall counterterrorism efforts such as addressing root causes of terrorism, encouraging close collaboration, capacity building and sharing experience.
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