UN 101
There is no UN definition of terrorism
The UN has no internationally-agreed definition of terrorism.
Although work began on a draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism by the end of 2000, the definitional impasse has prevented its adoption. Even in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 the UN failed to adopt the convention, and the deadlock continues to this day.
The prime reason is the standoff with the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation(OIC)(formerly the Organization of the Islamic Conference). The
Arab Terrorism Convention and the
Terrorism Convention of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) define terrorism to exclude armed struggle for liberation and self-determination. This claim purports to exclude blowing up certain civilians from the reach of international law and organizations. It is central to interpreting every proclamation by the states which have ratified these conventions in any UN forum purporting to combat terrorism.
When it comes to agreeing to a comprehensive convention, the OIC is still looking for ways to exclude "the activities of the parties during an armed conflict, including in situations of foreign occupation" from the purview of the Convention. (See page 17,
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee established by General Assembly resolution 51/210 of 17 December 1996, Sixth session (28 January-1 February 2002), A/57/37; See page 8, para 4,
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee, Seventh session (31 March-2 April 2003), A/58/37; See page 10, para 2,
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee, Eighth session (28 June-2 July 2004), A/59/37; See page 23, para 5,
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee, Ninth session (28 March-1 April 2005), A/60/37; See page 2, para 6,
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee, Tenth session (27 February-3 March 2006), A/61/37; See page 2, para 6,
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee, Eleventh session (5, 6 and 15 February 2007), A/62/37; See page 2, para 6,
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee, Twelfth session (25 and 26 February and 6 March 2008), A/63/37; See page 2, para 6,
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee, Thirteenth session (29 June to 2 July 2009), A/64/37; See page 2, para 6,
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee, Fourteenth session (12 to 16 April 2010), A/65/37; See page 7, para 11,
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee, Fifteenth session (11 to 15 April 2011), A/66/37; See page 24, para 23,
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee, Sixteenth session (8 to 12 April 2013), A/68/37; See page 4, para 5,
Oral Report of the Chairman of the Working Group on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism,"(November 7, 2014); See page 3, para 4,
Oral Report of the Chairman of the Working Group on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," (November 13, 2015); See page 7, para 35,
Oral Report of the Chairman of the Working Group on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," Seventy First session (November 4, 2016); See page 4, para 13,
Oral Report of the Chairman of the Working Group on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," Seventy Second session (November 3, 2017); See page 4, para 13,
Oral Report of the Chairman of the Working Group on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," Seventy Third session (November 5, 2018); See
Oral Report of the Chairman of the Working Group on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," Seventy Fourth session (November 11, 2019).
Speaking on behalf of the OIC on October 8, 2019, the Saudi Arabian delegation once again was explicit about the standoff, stating the "OIC reiterated the need to distinguish between terrorism and the exercise of the legitimate right of peoples to self-determination and to resist foreign occupation..." Likewise, Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement,
said on October 7, 2019, "that terrorism should not be equated with the legitimate struggle of peoples under ... foreign occupation, for self-determination and national liberation."
On November 5, 2018, the Chairman of the General Assembly Working Group -- that was established to finalize a draft convention on international terrorism -- circulated an
oral report in which he discussed "the outstanding issues" and specifically pointed to questions "in relation to foreign occupation."
See also: UN non-action to combat terrorism
2019
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2018
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Oral report of the chairperson of the Working Group on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, November 5, 2018
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Statement by Algeria at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 4, 2018
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Statement by Indonesia at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 4, 2018
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Statement by Malaysia at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 4, 2018
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Statement by Namibia at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 4, 2018
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Statement by Gambia on behalf of the African Group at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2018
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Statement by Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2018
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Statement by Maldives at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2018
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Statement by Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2018
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Statement by South Africa at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2018
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2017
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Oral report of the chairperson of the Working Group on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism
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Statement by Djibouti at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 4, 2017
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Statement by Jordan at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 4, 2017
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Statement by Palestinian Representative at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 4, 2017
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Statement by Afghanistan at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2017
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Statement by Iraq at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2017
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Statement by Kuwait at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2017
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Statement by Namibia at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2017
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Statement by Pakistan at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2017
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Statement by Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2017
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Statement by Tunisia at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2017
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Statement by Algeria on behalf of the African Group at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 2, 2017
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Statement by Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 2, 2017
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Statement by Lebanon at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 2, 2017
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Statement by Libya at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 2, 2017
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Statement by Qatar at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 2, 2017
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2016
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UN General Assembly Resolution "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," A/RES/71/151, December 13, 2016
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Report of the Sixth Committee on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," A/71/518, November 11, 2016
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UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Resolution, "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," A/C.6/71/L.24, adopted on November 11, 2016
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Oral report of the Chairman of the Working Group on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," November 4, 2016
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Statement by Iran at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 5, 2016
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Statement by the Palestinian Representative at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 5, 2016
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Statement by Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 4, 2016
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Statement by Iran, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2016
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Statement by Lebanon at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee Meeting on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,' October 3, 2016
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2015
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UN General Assembly Resolution "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," A/RES/70/120, December 18, 2015
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Report of the Sixth Committee on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," A/70/513, November 23, 2015
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Oral report of the Chairman of the Working Group on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," November 13, 2015
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Selected quotes from the meeting on the 'Measures to eliminate international terrorism,' UN General Assembly Sixth Committee, October 12-13, 2015
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Statement by Iran at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee meeting on 'Measures to eliminate international terrorism', October 13, 2015
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Statement by Pakistan at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee meeting on 'Measures to eliminate international terrorism', October 13, 2015
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Statement by Algeria at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee meeting on 'Measures to eliminate international terrorism', October 12, 2015
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Statement by Lebanon at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee meeting on 'Measures to eliminate international terrorism', October 12, 2015
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Statement by Malaysia at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee meeting on 'Measures to eliminate international terrorism', October 12, 2015
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Statement of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement before the General Assembly Sixth Committee on 'Measures to eliminate international terrorism', October 12, 2015
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Statement of Saudi Arabia on Behalf of the OIC Member States before the General Assembly Sixth Committee on 'Measures to eliminate international terrorism', October 12, 2015
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2014
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Oral report of the Chairman of the Working Group on the Measures to eliminate international terrorism, November 7, 2014, UN General Assembly Sixth Committee
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Summary record of the 28th meeting of the Sixth Committee, Agenda item 107: Measures to eliminate international terrorism, A/C.6/69/SR.28, November 7, 2014
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Emerging Threats by Foreign Fighters, Communication Technologies Must Be Confronted in Fight against Terrorism, Stresses Sixth Committee (Press Release), GA/L/3476, October 8, 2014
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Selected quotes from the meetings on the Measures to eliminate international terrorism, October 7 and 8, 2014, UN General Assembly Sixth Committee
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Speakers Urge That Differences Be Resolved in Draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, as Sixth Committee Begins Session, (Press Release), GA/L/3475, October 7, 2014
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2013
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Report of the Sixth Committee on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism", November 19, 2013
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UN GA Sixth Committee Resolution "Measures to eliminate international terrorism," A/C.6/68/L.13, adopted on November 8, 2013
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Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, Sixteenth session (8 to 12 April 2013), A/68/37
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Although Comprehensive Anti-Terrorism Convention Still Eludes Agreement, Ad Hoc Committee Chair says Willingness to Work Offers Hope (Press Release), April 12, 2013
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Ad Hoc Committee Negotiating Comprehensive Anti-terrorism Convention Opens One Week Headquarters Session (Press Release), April 8, 2013
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2012
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UN General Assembly Resolution "Measures to eliminate international terrorism", A/RES/67/99, December 14, 2012
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Oral Report by the Chairman of the Working Group on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee, November 6, 2012
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Summary record of the 23rd meeting of the Sixth Committee, Agenda item 105: Measures to eliminate international terrorism, A/C.6/67/SR.23, November 6, 2012
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Statement by Egypt on behalf of the OIC at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 8, 2012
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Statement by Iran on behalf of the NAM at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 8, 2012
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Statement by Kuwait at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 8, 2012
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Statement by Pakistan at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 8, 2012
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Statement by Saudi Arabia at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 8, 2012
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Statement by the United Arab Emirates at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 8, 2012
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Statement by the United States at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 8, 2012
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Statement by Yemen at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 8, 2012
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2011
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UN General Assembly Resolution "Measures to eliminate international terrorism", A/RES/66/105, December 9, 2011
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Report of the Sixth Committee on "Measures to eliminate international terrorism", November 15, 2011
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Oral Report by the Chairman of the Working Group of the GA 6th Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, November 4, 2011
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Summary record of the 28th meeting of the Sixth Committee, Agenda item 109: Measures to eliminate international terrorism, A/C.6/66/SR.28, November 4, 2011
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Statement by China on behalf of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 3, 2011
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Statement by Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 3, 2011
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Statement by Kazakhstan on behalf of the OIC on "Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism" at the GA Sixth Committee, October 3, 2011
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Statement by Qatar on behalf of the Arab Group on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 3, 2011
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Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, Fifteenth session (11 to 15 April 2011), A/66/37
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2010
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UN General Assembly Resolution "Measures to eliminate international terrorism", A/RES/65/34, December 6, 2010
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Report of the Working Group: Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism of the GA Sixth Committee, A/C.6/65/L.10, November 3, 2010
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Draft Recommendation of the 14th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, April 16, 2010
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Oral Report by the Coordinator of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism drafting process at the 14th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, April 16, 2010
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Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, Fourteenth session (12 to 16 April 2010), A/65/37
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Statement by Spain on behalf of the European Union at the closing of the 14th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, April 16, 2010
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Statement by Chile on behalf of the Rio Group at the 14th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, April 12, 2010
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Statement by Egypt at the 14th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, April 12, 2010
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Statement by Iran at the 14th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, April 12, 2010
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Statement by Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at the 14th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, April 12, 2010
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Statement by Spain on behalf of the European Union at the 14th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, April 12, 2010
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Statement by Syria on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) at the 14th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, April 12, 2010
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Statement by the Coordinator of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism drafting process at the 14th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, April 12, 2010
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Statement by the Democratic Republic of Korea at the 14th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, April 12, 2010
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2009
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Provisional agenda of the fourteenth session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, December 21, 2009
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UN General Assembly Resolution "Measures to eliminate international terrorism", A/RES/64/118, December 16, 2009
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Summary record of the 14th meeting of the Sixth Committee, Agenda item 106: Measures to eliminate international terrorism, A/C.6/64/SR.14, October 23, 2009
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Draft Recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee on Terrorism, July 2, 2009
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Statement by the Coordinator of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism drafting process, July 2, 2009
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Statement by the European Union on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism drafting process, July 2, 2009
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Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, Thirteenth session (29 June to 2 July 2009), A/64/37
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Annex I and II to the Draft Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Terrorism, June 30, 2009
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Draft Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, June 29, 2009
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Statement by Israel at the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, June 29, 2009
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Statement by the Coordinator of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism drafting process, June 29, 2009
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Statement by the United States at the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, June 29, 2009
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2008
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UN General Assembly Resolution "Measures to eliminate international terrorism", A/RES/63/129, December 11, 2008
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Summary record of the 14th meeting of the Sixth Committee, Agenda item 99: Measures to eliminate international terrorism, A/C.6/63/SR.14, October 24, 2008
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Draft Recommendations of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Terrorism, March 6, 2008
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Statement by the Coordinator of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism drafting process, March 6, 2008
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Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, Twelfth session (25 and 26 February and 6 March 2008), A/63/37
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2007
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UN General Assembly Resolution "Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism", A/RES/62/71, December 6, 2007
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Oral Report of the Chairman of the Working Group on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, October 26, 2007
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Summary record of the 16th meeting of the UN General Assembly, Sixth Committee, Agenda item 100: Measures to eliminate international terrorism, A/C.6/62/SR.16
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Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, Eleventh session (5, 6 and 15 February 2007), A/62/37
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2006
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2005
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2004
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