counter-terrorism architecture within a larger international legal framework. Both the Security Council and the General Assembly have reaffirmed this in relevant counter-terrorism resolutions.23 Further, Pillar IV of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted by the General Assembly in 2006 stressed that all measures to prevent counter terrorism must be based on human rights and the rule of law, and that effective counterterrorism measures and the protection of human rights are not conflicting goals, but are rather complementary and mutually reinforcing.24 9. In resolution 2396 (2017), the Security Council called upon Member States “to assess and investigate suspected individuals whom they have reasonable grounds to believe are terrorists, including suspected foreign terrorist fighters and their accompanying family members, including spouses and children, entering those Member States’ territories; to develop and implement comprehensive risk assessments for those individuals; and to take appropriate action, including by considering appropriate prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration measures” and emphasizes that Member States should ensure that they take all such action in compliance with domestic and international law.25 Similarly, the General Assembly, in its sixth review resolution of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, called upon Member States to develop and implement “prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration strategies, taking into account gender and age dimensions” of returning 23 That is a point repeatedly made by the Security Council in its resolutions concerning counter-terrorism. For example, see preamble, paragraphs 4, 7, 13 and 34 of Security Council resolution 2396 (2017). 24 General Assembly resolution 26/288, Global CounterTerrorism Strategy (2006). 25 Security Council resolution 2396 (2017), para. 29. 14. “foreign terrorist fighters” and their families.26 10. Significantly, both the Security Council and the General Assembly noted that children may be especially vulnerable and in need of psychosocial support, such as post-trauma counselling. Both bodies stressed that children need to be treated in a manner that respects their rights and protects their dignity in accordance with applicable international law.27 This echoes the Security Council resolution on children and armed conflict, which stresses the need to pay particular attention to the treatment of children associated or allegedly associated with armed groups who commit terrorist acts.28 11. The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre developed this Handbook as part of its work under the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, Pillar IV on human rights and the rule of law.29 Given that the erosion of the rule of law and violation of human rights could be drivers of terrorism, the Handbook also contributes to Pillar I of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy which address conditions conducive to terrorism. Ensuring the rights of concerned children and supporting families to rehabilitate and reintegrate, rather than stigmatize them and leaving them to become greater security threats in the long term, would contribute to addressing conditions conducive to terrorism. 26 General Assembly resolution 72/284 (2018), para. 39. 27 Security Council resolution 2396 (2017), pp.18; General Assembly resolution 72/284 (2018), para. 39. 28 Security Council resolution 2427 (2018), para. 19. 29 General Assembly resolution 26/288 (2006).

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