Ionita Sofia
Position Paper-United Mexican State
Countering Terrorism. Each year, thousands of innocent lives are shattered by terrorist
violence driven by violent extremism. Whether based on religious, ethnic or political
grounds, extremist ideologies glorify the supremacy of a particular group, and oppose a more
tolerant and inclusive society. Their message of religious, cultural, and social intolerance has
wreaked havoc in many regions worldwide. Terrorism, in all its forms and tactics, targets the
very foundations of our societies and directly challenges our shared values of peace, justice,
and human dignity. It aims to dismantle human rights, fundamental freedoms, and
democracy. It threatens the territorial integrity and security of nations and seeks to destabilize
legitimate governments. To counter this threat, the international community must strengthen
cooperation in preventing and combating terrorism. While countering terrorism requires
interventions to protect the security of people and assets, prevention of violent extremism
needs to look beyond strict security concerns to development-related causes and solutions.
There is a crucial role to be played by international organizations, civil society, academics,
religious leaders, and media outlets, in combating both terrorism and the violent extremism
that can fuel it. The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established
on 15 June 2017 through the adoption of UN General Assembly . The United Nations Office
of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) works to combat terrorism at the global, regional, and
national levels. It provides technical assistance and capacity building to member states and
strengthens coordination among UN entities.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
(UNODC) works with member states to prevent and counter the evolving threats of terrorism
and violent extremism. UNODC Terrorism Prevention Branch promotes international legal
instruments, aids domestic implementation, and facilitates global cooperation. Grounded in
legal and human rights norms, and aligned with the UN Secretary General’s Common
Agenda, UNODC empowers communities, reduces vulnerabilities, and ensures no one is left
behind through inclusive strategies that prioritize people's safety, striving for a terrorism-free
world.
The Mexican State has made significant progress in capacity building in the prevention and
protection against terrorism, through the adoption of good practices such as the training and
the exchange of information with international bodies such as the United Nations. Mexico
strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reiterates its commitment
to continuing to promote multilateral efforts to prevent and combat the threat posed by
terrorism to international peace and security. Mexico attaches great importance to the
implementation of the international legal framework for preventing and combating terrorism,
including the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. Mexico also
recognizes that comprehensive efforts to prevent and combat terrorism must respect
international law and international human rights law.
Ionita Sofia
In 2018, Mexico also continued to work through its High-level Special Committee on
International Disarmament, Terrorism and Security to develop and strengthen the national
legal framework applicable to international criminal mechanisms concerned with terrorism.
In particular, the Government of Mexico has sought to strengthen its inter-institutional
cooperation mechanisms and exchange of information with a view to preventing, combating
and mitigating acts of terrorism and ensuring that perpetrators are duly prosecuted.
