ABSTRACT
International terrorism is not a new phenomenon. This chapter provides an introduction to the concept of terrorism and how this links with the role of the United Nations to maintain peace and security. The starting point in looking at the international law on terrorism is to acknowledge the problems with defining terrorism. Attempts to define the term have been made since before the establishment of the United Nations. In chronological order, one starts with the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft 1963. In December 1994, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism. Of the more recent resolutions on the interrelationship between counter-terrorism and human rights prior to September 11 is General Assembly Resolution 54/164. International terrorism has been identified by both the UN General Assembly and Security Council as one of the most serious threats to peace and security.
