United Nations Security Council Resolution 1368

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1368 was adopted unanimously by the United Nations Security Council on September 12, 2001, in response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, perpetrated by Al-Qaeda led by Osama bin Laden. The resolution condemned the attacks, which also targeted United Airlines Flight 93 and American Airlines Flight 77, and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, including those from United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It also recognized the right to self-defense in accordance with the United Nations Charter, specifically Article 51, as invoked by United States President George W. Bush and supported by NATO and the European Union. The resolution was sponsored by the United States, with co-sponsors including United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China, and was adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

● Introduction

The introduction of the resolution acknowledged the United Nations General Assembly's condemnation of the September 11 attacks and the need for international cooperation to prevent and suppress terrorist acts, as outlined in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 49/60 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1269. It also recognized the role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security, as mandated by the United Nations Charter and supported by Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and the United Nations Security Council. The resolution expressed support for the United States and other affected countries, including Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia, and acknowledged the importance of cooperation between intelligence agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency and MI6, and law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Scotland Yard. The resolution also referred to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, which had provided sanctuary to Al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden, and the need for cooperation from Pakistan and other neighboring countries, including Iran and Uzbekistan.

● Background

The background to the resolution included the Cold War and the subsequent rise of global terrorism, as exemplified by the Munich massacre and the Iran hostage crisis. The Soviet–Afghan War had created a power vacuum in Afghanistan, which was filled by the Taliban regime, supported by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The Taliban provided sanctuary to Al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden, who had been responsible for several terrorist attacks, including the 1998 United States embassy bombings and the USS Cole bombing. The United States and its allies, including United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, had been seeking to disrupt Al-Qaeda's operations and bring Osama bin Laden to justice, with the support of Interpol and the International Criminal Court. The September 11 attacks provided a catalyst for international action against terrorism, as called for by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and supported by the G8 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

● Provisions

The provisions of the resolution condemned the September 11 attacks and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, including those from Germany, France, and Italy. It recognized the right to self-defense in accordance with the United Nations Charter, specifically Article 51, and called on all states to work together to prevent and suppress terrorist acts, as outlined in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1269 and United Nations General Assembly Resolution 49/60. The resolution also called on states to take action to prevent the financing of terrorist organizations, such as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and to cooperate with each other to bring terrorists to justice, with the support of Europol and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The resolution referred to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and the need for cooperation from Pakistan and other neighboring countries, including Iran and Uzbekistan, to prevent the harboring of terrorists.

● Voting

The voting on the resolution was unanimous, with all 15 members of the United Nations Security Council voting in favor, including United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. The resolution was sponsored by the United States, with co-sponsors including United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China, and was adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The United Nations Security Council also issued a presidential statement condemning the September 11 attacks and expressing sympathy for the victims and their families, including those from Canada, Australia, and Germany. The statement was issued by the President of the United Nations Security Council, Jean-David Levitte of France, and was supported by the United Nations General Assembly and the European Union.

● Aftermath

The aftermath of the resolution saw a significant increase in international cooperation to prevent and suppress terrorist acts, as called for by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and supported by the G8 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The United States and its allies, including United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, launched a military campaign against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, with the support of NATO and the European Union. The United Nations Security Council also established the Counter-Terrorism Committee to monitor the implementation of the resolution and to provide technical assistance to states to help them prevent and suppress terrorist acts, with the support of Interpol and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The resolution also led to the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security in the United States and the creation of the Transportation Security Administration to improve aviation security, with the support of the Federal Aviation Administration and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

● Significance

The significance of the resolution lies in its recognition of the right to self-defense in accordance with the United Nations Charter, specifically Article 51, and its call for international cooperation to prevent and suppress terrorist acts. The resolution marked a significant shift in the international response to terrorism, from a focus on law enforcement to a more comprehensive approach that included military action and intelligence cooperation, as supported by NATO and the European Union. The resolution also highlighted the importance of cooperation between states to prevent the financing of terrorist organizations and to bring terrorists to justice, with the support of Europol and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The resolution has been cited as a precedent for subsequent United Nations Security Council resolutions on terrorism, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1624, and has been influential in shaping the international response to terrorism, as recognized by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the United Nations General Assembly.