The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) recently published its annual report ranking India as the 13th country most affected by terrorism. Afghanistan leads the chart for the fourth consecutive year despite witnessing a reduction in terrorism-related attacks and fatalities. The report is prepared by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) using data from various sources like the TerrorismTracker, which has recorded almost 66,000 acts of terrorism since 2007.
Key Takeaways from the Global Terrorism Index
The GTI report marks a global drop of 9% in fatalities due to terrorism, scaling down to 6,701 deaths from its peak in 2015. This indicates a 38% decrease over seven years. However, Pakistan experienced a surge in terrorism-related deaths in 2022, with an increased toll of 643. Simultaneously, South Asia continues to have the worst GTI score with 1,354 deaths in 2022 alone. The Islamic State (IS) has proven itself as the deadliest terrorist group for the eighth year running, with the highest number of attacks and fatalities in 2022.
Challenges in Effectively Countering Terrorism
International authorities face significant challenges in controlling terrorism globally. Among them, Terror Financing poses a massive problem. Almost four trillion dollars are laundered annually by criminals according to the IMF and World Bank. Furthermore, terrorist organizations exploit charities and alternative remittance methods to transfer funds, thereby tainting the international financial system and eroding public faith.
Another challenge is the Politicisation of Counterterrorism efforts. Veto power wielded by permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (P5), when identifying terrorists, often impedes decisive actions against global terrorism. The absence of universally accepted definitions of terrorism also complicates matters, providing a safe haven for some countries to avoid taking necessary actions.
The Use of Emerging Technology by Terrorists presents another challenge. Internet access, end-to-end encryption, and the use of VPN provide radicalized individuals with more avenues to carry out their operations, escalating the threat levels across the globe.
Strategies to Counter Terrorism
To reinvigorate the counterterrorism agenda, unity among international members is paramount. Curtailing the veto power of P5 when identifying terrorists could be a potential solution. It is also crucial to establish a universal definition for terrorism that all UN General Assembly (UNGA) members can incorporate into their respective criminal laws. This would not only ban terror groups but also pave the way for prosecuting terrorists under special laws and making cross-border terrorism an extraditable offence worldwide. Though India proposed a draft on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN in 1986, it is yet to be adopted by UNGA.
Curbing terror funding is another pivotal step. Implementing stronger laws requiring banks to report suspicious transactions and practice due diligence on clients could help diminish terrorism. Moreover, regulating cryptocurrencies could prove beneficial, considering their growing popularity as a medium of untraceable transactions.
The Global Terrorism Index provides an important insight into the state of international security, highlighting the persistent threat of terrorism worldwide. The findings underscore the urgent need for unified global efforts, regulatory reforms, and innovative strategies to combat this menace effectively. While these are complex challenges requiring multifaceted solutions, advancements in technology, law enforcement, and international cooperation could potentially turn the tide against this enduring global issue.
