The Christchurch mosque shooting in 2019, which claimed 51 lives and injured many others, served as a wake-up call to the world about the seriousness of right-wing or far-right terrorism. The attacks by right-wing terrorists often take place in western countries with a high number of casualties.

Apparently, the growing trend of far-right terrorism has not received adequate attention from the global counterterrorism police and the United Nations Security Council, although several governments, such as New Zealand and the United States, have referred to the acts as “terrorism”.

Until now, UN member states have been unable to agree on the definition of international terrorism. Thus, states have formed their own definition, leading to various interpretations and different lists of terrorists.

The UNSC issued a resolution against the Taliban in 1999, marking the global war on terrorists. The resolution has since become the only global counterterror authority, as well as the norm-setter. With only 15 members, the UNSC decision-making process is more efficient. As an executive organ of the UN, its decisions bind member states.

The five veto holder countries, the so called “shareholders”, are the main drivers of the counter-terror debate within the Council. 

Resolution No. 1267 (1999) imposed sanctions on the Taliban and was later expanded to include al-Qaeda, IS and their affiliates. Those three organizations are the only terror entities recognized by the council up to today. The UNSC has been listing hundreds of individuals and entities “alleged” to have affiliation with the three terror networks.

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