STATEMENT BY MR ALBERT CHUA SECOND PERMANENT SECRETARY IN THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF SINGAPORE AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON THREATS TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY CAUSED BY TERRORIST ACTS, 24 SEPTEMBER 2014

Madame President,

                    Foreign terrorist fighters are a clear threat to international peace and security. An estimated 12,000 foreigners from over 70 countries have participated in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria.  This is the largest mobilisation of foreign militants since the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s. 

                    It is not just the numbers of foreign fighters that has been commanding attention, but the horrific tactics used by terrorist organisations like the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Al Nusra Front. Their violent campaigns against minority groups in northern Iraq and Syria, the brutal murders of Muslims and non-Muslims, the abduction of innocent civilians, and the widespread abuses of human rights constitute crimes against humanity.

                    Singapore condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist actions of ISIL and other terrorist groups.  We extend our condolences to all who have suffered or lost loved ones.  

                    Singapore is not immune to the threat of terrorism and radical ideologies.  There are foreign fighters in Syria who have travelled from Southeast Asia.  The Singapore Government knows of a handful of Singaporeans who have gone to Syria to take part in the conflict. There are other Singaporeans who had expressed interest to join the fighting in Syria but were stopped before they were able to travel.

                    Like many countries, Singapore is gravely concerned about the potential threat caused by returning terrorist fighters. The Soviet-Afghan War drew in thousands of foreign fighters and led to the creation of Al-Qaida and inspired the creation of other terrorist groups.  Al-Qaida’s key regional affiliate in Southeast Asia, the Jemaah Islamiyah or “JI”, was responsible for several large scale terrorist attacks such as the Bali bombings in 2002. In December 2001, the Singapore Government foiled a plot by JI members to attack targets in Singapore including a number of diplomatic missions.  Fortunately, they were stopped before they could do harm.

                   Terrorist groups such as ISIL and the Al Nusra Front are a threat to the entire world.  The international community must counter this growing global threat with a comprehensive strategy that addresses not just the military, but also the ideological aspects of the conflict.  We must counter the radical ideology used to recruit foreign terrorist fighters and which fuels their violent extremist agenda.  The Singapore Government has supported and worked with our Muslim religious leaders, community groups and individuals to rehabilitate terrorist detainees and to de-legitimise radical ideologies. 

                    Singapore welcomes the strong leadership of the United States on this issue, in particular the formation of the international coalition to combat the ISIL threat.  Singapore also welcomes the Jeddah declaration by Arab countries in the region to stand united against ISIL.  These will be critical in cutting off financial and material support for ISIL, preventing the movement of foreign terrorist fighters, and in the ideological battle.

                   Singapore firmly supports all international and regional cooperation to combat terrorism, including the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-terrorism strategy and all Security Council resolutions related to counter-terrorism.  We welcomed the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2170 on 15 August, which condemned the terrorist acts and violent extremist ideology of ISIL and the Al Nusra Front, and urged all UN Members to take appropriate measures to combat terrorism.  The resolution which we just adopted today is an important step in the global effort to combat terrorism, and Singapore was pleased to co-sponsor it.  We stand ready to play our part to combat the threat of global terrorism.

.     .     .     .     .