International Terrorism Essay

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Anti-terrorism Treaties and Development of International Law
Written By: Titiksha Mohanty
“Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstance unjustifiable, whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or any other nature that may be invoked to justify them.”
— Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism,
(General Assembly Resolution 49/60, Paragraph 3)
Terrorism or terrorist attacks by various political groups have been a perpetual threat to the international community. From being isolated acts of violence against an ideology to being calculated, symbolic and highly theatrical acts of violence by organized terror outfits with specific political grievances – the trajectory of evolution of terrorism has been horrifyingly monumental and it has led to an evolution to a branch of legislation, both at the international as well as domestic level that deals exclusively with countering terrorism. This paper seeks to analyse the development of international law over time in the said context. Mainly so, this paper aims to observe the changes in Anti-Terrorism legislation before and after the infamous 9/11 attacks. Keeping in mind the parallel influences of the changing international political scenario, the argument here is that the legislative impetus against terrorism stems from the experiences of systemic failure of the international community to curb terrorism at a macro level. The need of the hour is to ensure implementation by facilitating compliance mechanisms, international collaborations and cooperation through the instrument of a general,...

... middle of paper ...

...on on terrorism, it has to be acknowledged that the body of international law in the field of counter terrorism has undergone a massive upheaval, more so than in any other field of international law. From a complacent, sectoral, sanction less participation of Anti-Terrorism treaties before 2001 to an accountable, unified, obligatory and mandatory compliance participation post 2001, the transition has been enormous. Even then, the rampant deaths of innocent civilians at the hands of these terror outfits continue. Terrorism continues to be one of the most serious threats to mankind and civilisation and its only resolution lies through percolation of international cooperation and inspiration.
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Written By:
Titiksha Mohanty,
Section A,
B.A LL.B 2012
Enrolment ID: 20120101

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