UN member states subsequently endorsed a global counter-terrorism strategy in the form of a resolution. An annexed plan of action includes a section on the importance of ensuring respect for human rights for all and the rule of law as the fundamental basis of the fight against terrorism.59 The significance of the strategy is that it is the first time that all member states have agreed to a common strategic approach to fighting terrorism, not only sending a clear message that terrorism is unacceptable in all its forms and manifestations, but also resolving to take practical steps individually and collectively to ensure that human rights for all and the rule of law are at the heart of combating and preventing terrorism. Regional approaches to counter-terrorism Regional inter-governmental organizations have also committed themselves to defeating terrorism. 60 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe The OSCE, as a regional inter-governmental organization concerned principally with collective security, has made a number of politically binding commitments in relation to countering terrorism. The objective of the OSCE is to create a comprehensive framework for peace and stability within the region. As such, OSCE states have recognized through commitments in what is know as the “human dimension” that pluralistic democracy based on the rule of law and the guarantee of human rights is the only system of government capable of guaranteeing such a comprehensive framework for security, peace and stability. While the OSCE commitments in relation to counter-terrorism are wide-ranging and include, for example, a commitment for all OSCE states to ratify all the UN conventions and protocols relating to terrorism, the OSCE strategy is based on the Bucharest Plan of Action for Combating Terrorism. As part of that action plan the following was agreed: […] Promoting human rights, tolerance and multi-culturalism: Participating States/Permanent Council/ODIHR/High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM)/Representative on Freedom of the Media: 59 UN General Assembly, Resolution 60/288 of 20 September 2006, doc. A/RES/60/288; see also http://www.un.org/ terrorism/strategy-counter-terrorism.html. 60 Regional arrangements beyond the OSCE region include: • Commonwealth of Independent States: Treaty on Co-operation among States Members of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Combating Terrorism, 1999; • League of Arab States: Arab Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism, 1998; • Organisation of the Islamic Conference: Convention of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference on Combating International Terrorism, 1999; • Organisation of American States: OAS Convention to Prevent and Punish Acts of Terrorism Taking the Form of Crimes against Persons and Related Extortion that are of International Significance, 1971; • Organisation of African Unity: OAU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, 1999; • South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation: SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism, 1987. Countering Terrorism, Protecting Human Rights 39