Resources

Joint statement: UN should ensure independent oversight of UN Counter-Terrorism architecture

Joint statement on the critical need for UN Member States and Secretary-General to use a new UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy to develop an independent oversight mechanism to assess and mitigate harm from counterterrorism measures.

How can Member States improve the UN’s Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy?

The United Nations secretary-general made public last week his report on the Activities of the United Nations system in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. This marks the start of three months of negotiations over an updated UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Many hoped the secretary-general’s report would offer a robust call for much-needed changes.

If the US wants to push back on authoritarian agendas at the UN, get counter-terrorism right

Biden administration officials have made clear that ending endless wars, revitalizing American diplomacy and multilateral leadership, and defending against authoritarianism are central to their vision for U.S. foreign policy. What would that vision look like translated into bold U.S. leadership at the United Nations?

Reforming UN Counter-terrorism in 2021: protecting against the rise of the fourth pillar

In 2020 Saferworld released a new discussion paper exploring the impact and future threats of this shift - A fourth pillar for the United Nations? The rise of counter-terrorism. Watch these video explainers to find out what we discovered and what we suggest can be done:.

Redefining a UN peace doctrine to avoid regime protection operations

Incompatible Bedfellows: UN Peace Operations and Counter-terrorism

Predictions of the demise of United Nations peacekeeping have so far been premature. The world is adrift in a sea of volatility. Current trends – including rising conflict, authoritarianism, and heavy-handed security practices – mean there will be plenty of “peace” for UN operations to keep in the next decade.

A fourth pillar for the United Nations? The rise of counter-terrorism

Why UN peacekeeping operations must not become counter-terrorism missions

Increased pressure on UN peacekeeping operations to engage in counter-terrorism risk bogging down blue helmets in unwinnable wars and destroying their claim to impartiality in the process. This short-term thinking could change UN peacekeeping as we know it. 

United Nations peace operations in complex environments: charting the right course