Terrorism and Int'l security.

UNIVERSITY MODULE SERIES

Counter-Terrorism Module 1: Introduction to International Terrorism

The Doha Declaration: Promoting a Culture of Lawfulness
  • Education for Justice
  • UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
  • Vienna, 2018
© United Nations, August 2018
  • All rights reserved internationally.
  • No opinion implied on legal statuses or borders in the materials presented.
  • This Module serves as a resource for lecturers under the Education for Justice (E4J) initiative.
  • Part of Global Programme for Implementation of the Doha Declaration.
Key Features of the E4J University Module Series
  • Topics include Anti-Corruption, Crime Prevention, Cybercrime, Organized Crime, Trafficking, Integrity, Ethics, and Counter-Terrorism.
  • Materials include in-class exercises, assessments, slides, and teaching tools adaptable to various contexts.
  • Designed for flexible use; outlines provided for a three-hour class but adaptable for varying durations.

Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Key Issues
    • A Brief History of Terrorism
    • Terrorism in the Nineteenth Century
    • The League of Nations and Terrorism
    • The United Nations and Terrorism
    • UN Designated Terrorist Groups and Targeted Sanctions
    • Terrorist Victimization: Victims of Terrorism
  3. Exercises and Case Studies
  4. Possible Class Structure
  5. Core Reading
  6. Advanced Reading
  7. Student Assessment
  8. Additional Teaching Tools
  9. References

1. Introduction

  • Definition of Terrorism: Not universally agreed but can be understood as coercion through violence or threat to instill fear and achieve political/ideological objectives.
  • The Terrorist Triangle:
    • A attacks B to persuade C to change its stance on A’s desired policies.
    • Aims at innocent victims to apply pressure on third parties like governments.
  • Historical Context:
    • The term “terrorism” originated during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror (1793-1794).
    • The concept of guerrilla warfare arose from Spanish resistance against Napoleon.
    • Terrorism operations have roots in ancient practices influenced by government and armed conflict.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the semantic and historical trajectory of "terrorism".
  • Analyze and explain international legal principles pertaining to terrorism.
  • Discuss the implications of lacking a universal definition of terrorism.
  • Familiarize with interdisciplinary approaches, such as victimology.

2. Key Issues

  • Objectives of the Module: Introduces concepts and legal frameworks around terrorism and methods of counter-terrorism.
  • Lack of Legal Definition: No global consensus on “terrorism” complicates legal prosecution and investigation efforts.
  • Global Perspectives: Focuses on the international community's responses, especially those of States and organizations like the UN.
  • Prosecutorial Challenges: Decisions to prosecute depend on whether acts are categorized as terrorist or ordinary crimes, influenced by various legal criteria.
  • Counter-Terrorism Measures:
    • Involves both judicial responses and security measures.
    • Post-September 11, 2001, international cooperation in counter-terrorism has increased, leading to diversified responses and opportunities for global legal standards.
2.1 Terrorism and International Legal Frameworks
  • International Instruments: Numerous treaties relate to counter-terrorism efforts; however, State implementation varies.
  • Military vs. Criminal Justice: Military engagement in terrorism scenarios complicates the application of international humanitarian law.

3. A Brief History of Terrorism

  • Evolution in Tactics:
    • Modern terrorism tactics have roots in conflicts between states and reflect military distinctions.
    • The industrial revolution influenced broader and more indiscriminate violence practices.
  • David Rapoport’s Waves of Terrorism: The evolution of terrorism categorized in waves (e.g. anarchist wave, anti-colonial wave) with respect to their political goals.
  • Contemporary Motivations: Discusses the emergence of diverse motivations: socialism, nationalism, religious extremism, or exclusionism.

4. Terrorism in the Nineteenth Century

  • Anarchist groups emerged promoting radical political change using violence.
  • Assassination as Strategy: Targeted assassinations (e.g., Czar Alexander II's assassination in 1881) exemplified early terrorism politics.
  • Technological Developments: Innovations like dynamite and communication technologies influenced terrorism strategies, promoting rapid spread of ideas and mobilization.

5. The League of Nations and Terrorism

  • The post-World War I context reshaped international views on terrorism with competing ideologies about governance and security concerning new State designs.
  • The 1937 Convention defined acts of terrorism, though its impact diminished post-WWII due to the outbreak of war.

6. The United Nations and Terrorism

  • Post-1945 debates focused on terrorism concerning self-determination by “liberation fighters.”
  • Varied interpretations of rights to self-determination versus terrorist activities complicated legal frameworks.

7. UN Designated Terrorist Groups and Targeted Sanctions

  • In-depth look at the UN’s resolution 1267 establishing lists of designated terrorist groups since 1999 (e.g., Taliban, Al-Qaida).
  • Mechanisms for sanctions, monitoring, and addressing global threats from these organizations.

8. Terrorist Victimization: Victims of Terrorism

  • Definition of victimization in the context of targeted individuals and random victims of terrorism.
  • Discusses the nature of modern terrorism as psychological warfare that cultivates fear.
  • Identifies different types of primary victims and their characteristics.

9. Exercises and Case Studies

  • Suggestions for interactive class activities focusing on terrorism understanding and case studies regarding national and international responses to terrorism.
  • Interactive quizzes through Kahoot and discussions to engage students on terrorism knowledge.

10. Core Reading

  • List of primary resources related to the historical backdrop of terrorism, analytical frameworks, and significant studies on victimization.

11. Student Assessment

  • Outlines assessment questions analyzing terrorism’s evolution, definitions, and UN approaches to combating terrorist entities.

12. References

  • Comprehensive listing of sources, including books, journal articles, conventions, and online resources relevant to the study of terrorism and counter-terrorism.