Statement on countering terrorism adopted by Council of Republic

The Council of the Republic at the final meeting of the 11th session adopted a statement on countering terrorism, writes BELTA.

"The Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus condemns in the strongest terms all acts of terrorism, wherever they are committed and whatever goals they pursue," the statement reads. - The bloody terrorist act that took place in the Russian Federation on March 22, 2024, which claimed the lives of more than 140 civilians, was a shock to the entire international community. It reminded us all once again of the enduring value of human life. Innocent people were shot in cold blood and set on fire by a group of criminals. All this reminded us of the chronicles of the Great Patriotic War, when the Nazi invaders and their accomplices killed civilians in the same ruthless manner, sparing neither women nor children.

Today, terrorism remains one of the most serious threats to humanity, the document emphasizes. "Many countries of the world face acts of terrorism and violent extremism as a tool that is increasingly used to destabilize the internal political situation, incite interethnic and interreligious discord. Criminals do not reckon with anything, resort to new methods, using the Internet and digital technologies to recruit, finance the perpetrators of terrorist acts, incite them to commit them. We are convinced that suppressing acts of international terrorism is one of the most important elements of maintaining international peace and security, ensuring sustainable development, preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States," the statement said. - Terrorism feeds on energy and takes root where spiritual and moral values, traditions and culture of peoples are destroyed and history is forgotten. That is why in the context of the fight against terrorism we emphasize the key role of preventive measures to preserve historical memory, to form in societies a respectful attitude to the culture and traditions of peoples, to develop friendly relations between states."

"We note the key role of parliaments in preventing and combating terrorism, including through lawmaking, participation in the development of relevant policies and strategies, and the development of international cooperation. We call on parliaments and parliamentary organizations to consolidate efforts to prevent and combat terrorism and extremism, including promoting the implementation of relevant strategies, including the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the Global Programme on Preventing and Combating Terrorism of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime," the statement reads. - We, the members of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, declare our commitment to strengthening international cooperation in preventing and combating terrorism," the statement said.