The Committee has been considering the adoption of an overall "Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism" for the past 18 years. But standing in the way is the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Arab Terrorism Convention and the Terrorism Convention of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) define terrorism to exclude armed struggle for liberation and self-determination. This claim purports to exclude murdering selected civilians - starting with Israelis - from the reach of international law and organizations.
At the October Sixth Committee meeting Egypt, speaking for the OIC, "reiterated once again the need to make a distinction between terrorism and the exercise of the legitimate right of peoples to resist foreign occupation."
Numerous other speakers vigorously supported the OIC position:
- Iran, speaking for 120 countries of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM): "Terrorism should not be equated with the legitimate struggle of peoples under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation, for self-determination and national liberation."
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): "We should not confuse terrorism and actions by those who act on their own behalf."
- Qatar: "Our delegation reiterates its position namely that this convention...should include distinction between terrorism and the legitimate resistance to foreign occupation, self-defense, and the right of people under occupation to self-determination..."
- Lebanon: "It is important to distinguish between acts of terrorism and legitimate right to resistance to foreign occupation."
- Malaysia: "Malaysia wishes to reiterate its position ...of the legitimacy of resistance to foreign aggression and the struggle of peoples under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation."
- Yemen: "It is necessary to complete a comprehensive convention, which includes a clear definition that distinguishes between terrorism and legitimate resistance against occupation."
- Pakistan: "The comprehensive convention on terrorism must clearly differentiate between acts of terrorism and legitimate struggles for self-determination of people living under foreign occupation."
- Algeria: "Any confusion between acts of terrorism and the legitimate struggle of peoples under colonial or foreign occupation ... should be avoided."