Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Related Articles
Damascus, SANA- Participants at the International Conference on Combating Terrorism and Religious Extremism affirmed that combating terrorism should be taken on the international level through the UN without interfering in the domestic affairs of any state under the pretext of fighting terrorism, or interpreting the UN’s resolutions selectively.
In a final statement, the participants called on establishing an international popular court located in Damascus, adding that the judges and attorneys of it should be chosen in coordination among the Conference members.
They also affirmed that the siege imposed on some countries for political reasons, like Syria and Gaza Strip, is considered as “a terrorism act.”
The participants pointed out that the unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria by the US and European Union are illegal and violate the international
law, calling for lifting them.
They also called for condemning and pursuing those who are looting the historical, oil and economic wealth of the Syrian people and considering that act a direct support to terrorists, demanding the UN and INTERPOL to take appropriate procedures in cooperation with the Syrian government to punish those who steal the Syrian treasures.
Earlier, the conference continued its activities for the second day in Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus with the participation of Justice Minister Najm al-Ahmad.
Minister al-Ahmad proposed the establishment of a popular international counterterrorism forum with its headquarters in Damascus, adding that the forum would include members from all over the world who reject terrorism, and it would form a public-opinion tribunal to hold those who fund and support it accountable.
He noted that the national sovereignty of states and non-interference in states’ internal affairs which the UN Charter guarantee have become mere ink on paper as the U.S. is now interfering in other states’ affairs and breaching their sovereignty under the pretexts of humanitarianism and counterterrorism.
The Minister added that some media outlets are responsible for falsifying facts and spreading division, sectarian strife, and violence, describing the events in Syria and Iraq as “organized terrorism” backed by several countries, adding that its repercussions are beginning to reach some European and Arab Gulf countries.
Other participants in Monday’s sessions called for coining a non-politicized definition of international terrorism that would be adopted by the UN Security Council, and that the Council should possess firm and clear will to achieve international peace and security away from the policy of double standards when considering terrorism-related issues.
They stressed the need for combating obscurantist Wahabi thinking which distorted the true nature of Islam, reiterating the importance of international cooperation to shut down the sources of terrorism and halt material and intellectual support to it.
The participants noted that the absence of a clear definition of terrorism gave some people the opportunity to exploit it and use “human rights” as a pretext to harbor terrorist organizations.
They also stressed the necessity of identifying the blockade and sanctions on Syria as “economic terrorism” which is no less serious than the bloodthirsty Takfiri mentality.
The two-day conference on combating terrorism and religious extremism started its activities on Sunday with the participation of political, religious, cultural, and social delegations and figures from 25 Arab and foreign countries.
B. Mousa/Mazen
