Counter-terrorism committee holds meeting

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council's counter-terrorism committee is holding a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss greater border security against terrorists.

The 15-member counter-terrorism committee, established by the U.N. Security Council in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, is meeting with more than 70 international organizations for a three-day meeting in an effort to examine issues like ways of hindering the movement of terrorists across national boundaries and bolstering the ability of countries to detect illicit arms shipments among other ways that countries can better secure their borders and how the United Nations can help in those efforts.

“Of no lesser importance in combating terrorism is the respect for human rights and international law,” Ambassador Ricardo Alberto Arias of Panama, current CTC chairman, said in a statement. “The United Nations has reiterated that any measures taken to combat terrorism must comply with all relevant obligations under international law, particularly human rights, humanitarian and refugee law.”

"The talks are also expected to stress the need for stronger national efforts -- and greater bilateral and regional cooperation -- to deny safe haven to terrorists, improve border and customs controls and enhance information sharing," the release said.