2.3
TNTD/Action against Terrorism Unit
Background
The TNTD/ATU, established in 2002, is the OSCE’s focal point, information resource and
implementation partner on counter-terrorism activities. The Unit’s work is guided by the
OSCE Consolidated Framework for the Fight against Terrorism (PC.DEC/1063) adopted in
December 2012. The Decision outlines strategic focus areas for counter-terrorism activities
of the Organization and is an important roadmap for further action to be taken in this regard.
Importantly, the Consolidated Framework stipulates that the OSCE will further co-ordinate its
efforts internally and co-operate externally with relevant regional and international
organizations. The Secretary General will continue to ensure co-ordinated efforts among
thematic structures within the Secretariat and other executive structures in the pursuit of
activities related or relevant to counter-terrorism, in order to maximize the use of resources
and available expertise. Furthermore, the Consolidated Framework mandates the OSCE
Secretariat to continue ensuring the facilitation and cross-dimensional and cross-institutional
co-ordination of all OSCE counter-terrorism activities, without prejudice to the mandates of
other OSCE executive structures. To this end, other OSCE executive structures are tasked
to proactively inform the Secretariat about planned and ongoing activities as they relate to
anti-terrorism.
Terrorism is a serious crime and has to be dealt with determination and effectiveness, within
a framework based on the rule of law and human rights. Police and law enforcement play an
important role in preventing and countering terrorism and the work of the TNTD/ATU
complements the work of the TNTD/SPMU in relation to the role of law enforcement in
countering terrorism.
The TNTD/ATU has been contributing to the efforts of the TNTD aimed at ensuring
strengthened coherence, better co-ordination and efficient collaboration in addressing
transnational threats. Internally, the working relationship with ODIHR has been further
enhanced, resulting in the pursuit of many joint programmatic activities and projects.
TNTD/ATU has also been supporting the work of OSCE field operations and is maintaining
regular working contacts, also circulating the annual update of the Consolidated Reference
for OSCE Counter-Terrorism Efforts.
Externally, the TNTD/ATU has been collaborating closely with different UN structures and
other relevant international and regional entities in the area of preventing and countering
terrorism, actively contributing to the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy. Similarly, the TNTD/ATU has continued to involve the private sector as much as
possible in its anti-terrorism activities, actively seeking collaboration with the private sector
(business community and industry) as well as civil society and the media.
Representatives from police and law enforcement were, among other participants, the target
group of the following TNTD/ATU activities in 2013.
Counter-Terrorism in General
On 10-11 October, the TNTD/ATU supported the organization of a conference in Kyiv by the
Ukrainian Chairmanship on "Priority Issues for International Co-operation in the Fight against
Terrorism". The event brought together some 100 participants from more than 30
participating States and Partners for Co-operation to discuss latest concerns and effective
measures in some of the strategic focus areas of OSCE’s counter-terrorism activities, as
identified by the OSCE Consolidated Framework for Fight against Terrorism, namely:
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