Mandate of the Terrorism Prevention Branch

In 2002, the General Assembly approved a strengthened programme of activities for UNODC's Terrorism Prevention Branch. The Branch was mandated to provide technical assistance to Member States with a view to promoting the ratification and implementation of the universal legal instruments against terrorism and to strengthening the capacity of national criminal justice systems to apply the provisions of these instruments, in compliance with the rule of law and human rights standards.

The counter-terrorism technical assistance delivered by UNODC also helps countries to comply with the requirements of Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004).

In response to the evolving nature of the terrorist threat, the mandate of the Terrorism Prevention Branch has subsequently been reiterated and enhanced by the General Assembly and various other UN fora, with regard to:

  • Strengthening international cooperation mechanisms in criminal matters related to terrorism: A/RES/66/105
  • Developing specialized counterterrorism legal knowledge including, where appropriate, in the areas of nuclear terrorism, the financing of terrorism and the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes: E/CN.15/2011/21

In addition, the Branch provides substantive input on counter-terrorism issues to intergovernmental bodies, especially the Crime Commission, the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and the United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The TPB also provides specialized input on relevant counter-terrorism issues for UN wide initiatives and further coordinates its activities with other entities and organizations.

In pursuance of its mandates, the Terrorism Prevention Branch seeks to respond promptly and efficiently to requests from States for assistance in the legal and related aspects of countering terrorism.