Terrorism and ways to combat it

Terrorism can be defined in different ways. There is no commonly accepted definition of the notion, But nowadays we usually understand terrorism as I) the use of violent action in order to achieve political aims or to force a government to act; 2) the sustained, clandestine (done
secretly) use of violence* including murder* kidnapping, hijackinw& bombing to achieve k political purpose.

The terms "terrorism" and "terrorist" arc often used as political labels to condemn violence or threat of violence by certain actions as immoral, indiscriminate, or unjustified. Those labeled "terrorists" rarely identify themselves as such, and typically use other generic terms or terms specific to their situation, such as: separatist, freedom fighter, liberator, revolutionary, rebel.

The most common image of terrorism is that it is carried out by small and secretive cells, highly motivated to serve a particular eause. However, many of the most deadly operations in recent time, such as 9/11, the London underground bombing, and the 2002 Bali bombing were planned and carried out by a close clique, comprised of close friends, family members and other strong social networks.^These groups benefited from the free flow of information, and were able to overcome the obstacles they encountered where others failed due to lack of information and communications

The attacks on the United States on Sept, 11, 2001, drew attention to terrorism's most violent and paradoxical variant — namely that undertaken for reasons of religion.

Nowadays we falsely think that the Islamists are the only religious groups that exercise terrorism, though there are Christian, Jewish and other kinds of religious groups. There are also Nationalistic Terrorist Organizations such as Irish National Liberation Army, Tamil Nationalist, ETA (Basque Fatherland and Liberty) and many others,

ETA's aim is to establish an independent homeland based on Marxist principles in northern Spanish provinces and southwestern French departments.

HAMAS (Islamic resistance movement) pursue the goal of establishing an Islamic Palestinian state in place of Israel.

AI-Qaeda aims at establishing apan-Islamic Caliphate throughout the world.

Most of us will be surprised to find out that terrorist organizations exist practically in every country.

One can distinguish between "old" and "new" terrorism. Cm. pacneuamm Terrorism, p.7. Features of modern terrorism are:

Terrorist attacks are often targeted to maximize fear and publicity. Quest for spectacular horror effects in order to attract media coverage (9/11, Beslan, Nord-ost Underground trains in London, recent terror act in Spain (bomb blast in the airport, 2 ppl killed)

The term "state terrorism" has appeared recently* the case when governments R engaged in illegal & clandestine kidnapping^ murder to intimidate their people (Nazis in Germany)

The deliberate killing of civilians to intimidate (nanyraTb) the civilian population / government.

International dimension (pa3Max)of terrorism, the ability of terrorists to slip across national frontiers.

There are two major ways bow to combat terrorism. We should concentrate on the domestic terrorism (introduction of strict laws). Secondly, terrorism should be combated at the international level. A number of western industrial democracies have pledged themselves to take joint actions against terrorism (08).

Terrorism has been on the agenda of the UN for decades. A global strategy to counter terrorism has been accepted. The strategy, adopted on 8 September 2006 and formally launched on 19 September 2006 marks the first time that countries around the world agree to a common strategic approacJLto tight terrorism. The strategy forms a basis for aconcrete plan of action: to address the conditions favorable to the spread of terrorism; to prevent and combat terrorism; to take measures to build state capacity to fight terrorism; to strengthen the role of the UN in combating terrorism; and to ensure the respect of human rights while countering terrorism. The strategy condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Throughout human history, there have been many threats to the security of nations. These threats have brought about large-scale losses of life, the destruction of property, widespread illness and injury, the displacement of large numbers of people, and devastating economic loss.

Nowadays on everybody's lips we hear the word terrorism. In November 2004, a UN panel described terrorism as any act: "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act."

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 1870