UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) — Foreign Terrorist Fighters

Summary

Chapter VII resolution requiring states to criminalise travel for terrorist purposes ('foreign terrorist fighter' offence), recruitment, financing, and organising of such travel. Prompted domestic legislation across many states. Has been interpreted broadly to restrict diaspora members who travel to conflict zones for any purpose including humanitarian activities.

Relevance to the diaspora

Tamil diaspora members who travel to conflict or post-conflict zones for humanitarian purposes risk being investigated under domestic foreign terrorist fighter legislation enacted pursuant to Res. 2178; volunteer work in Tamil areas of Sri Lanka or LTTE-associated diaspora members travelling for family purposes have faced scrutiny.

Key provisions

• Para 6(a) — states to criminalise travel for terrorist purposes
• Para 6(b) — criminalise organisation of such travel
• Para 6(c) — criminalise financing of such travel
• Para 5 — states to prevent and suppress recruiting, organising, transporting or equipping

Primary source

Related entries

• → UN Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001) (UN)
• → Terrorism Act 2000 (UK)
• → Anti-terrorism Act 2001 (Canada) (CA)