Thaindian News

Sanya (China), April 14 (IANS) BRICS countries Thursday called for an early conclusion of the deadlocked talks on UN’s comprehensive anti-terror law that seeks to deny terrorists, their financiers and supporters access to funds, arms, and safe havens.

BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

“We reiterate our strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stress that there can be no justification, whatsoever, for any acts of terrorism,” said a joint statement that was issued after leaders of the BRICS countries met for the 3rd summit in this coastal city of China’s Hainan Island.

The leaders - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chinese President Hu Jintao, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and South African President Jacob Zuma - said that the UN had a central role in coordinating the international action against terrorism within the framework of the UN Charter and in accordance with principles and norms of the international law.

“In this context, we urge early conclusion of negotiations in the UN General Assembly of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and its adoption by all member states,” the statement said.

The negotiations of this proposed treaty that criminalises all forms of terror are deadlocked because of differences over the definition of terrorism. Some countries view the definition of terrorist in the treaty should not be applicable to the armed forces of a state and to self-determination movements.

The BRICS leader said they were “determined to strengthen our cooperation in countering this global threat”.

They were committed to cooperate on strengthening international information security and vowed to “pay special attention” to combat cyber crime.

(Sarwar Kashani can be contacted at s.kashani@ians.in)