UN handbook tells governments how to fight terrorism

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New York- The first handbook advising governments in various aspects of the fight against terrorism was published Friday by the United Nations, ranging from preventing the theft of nuclear materials to protecting human rights during anti-terrorism campaigns.
The first edition of Counter-Terrorism Online Handbook, was expected to be updated regularly, and was published only in electronic form at www.un.org/terrorism/CThandbook. The material was mandated by the UN General Assembly, which last year adopted wide- ranging measures to fight terrorist activities around the world.

The 192-nation assembly has adopted several conventions against terrorism, focusing on areas that would deprive terrorists or would- be terrorists of the financial and technological resources to carry out their activities.

"We stand ready to work with you (governments)," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said. "To support our joint efforts, a task force has created a Counter-Terrorism Online Handbook."

"Its purpose is to give member states, regional organizations and UN country teams a single, easily accessible tool for information on activities and resources," Ban said.

The handbook is described as a tool to better assist governments to utilize resources to "enhance their own efforts at countering terrorism within the framework of the (anti-terror) global strategy."

The handbook will focus on ways to prevent financing of terrorism; promote education, tolerance and dialogue; and protect nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological materials.

It also discusses ways to assist victims of terrorist attacks, prevent travel by terrorists, provide training to law enforcement entities, assist with drafting of anti-terrorism legislation, defend human rights and protect key infrastructure.

The handbook was drawn up by a 24-member counterterrorism implementation task force comprised of various UN departments and agencies. The task force received assistance from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).