M Venkaiah Naidu urges United Nations to tackle terror

New Delhi: Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Monday said that the world must come together to fight against terrorism and urged the United Nations (UN) to come up with “strong, coded actions” to tackle terror, its sponsors and those who are funding and supporting it.

The Vice-President also noted that one of India’s neighbours is “aiding and abetting” terrorism while talking about peace. He made the veiled reference to Pakistan, while addressing a gathering of human rights leaders from several parts of the world.

“Terrorism is an enemy of humanity. Some elements are spreading it in the name of religion, but no religion talks about violence. India has suffered the pain. The West, when they became the victims of terrorism, realised the problem,” Mr Naidu said. He further added “In our region too, one of our neighbours is aiding, abetting, funding and training terrorists and (it) talks about peace. Terror and talks can’t go together.”

Mr Naidu urged the world to “speak in one voice” to deal with terror globally.  “UN, at the earliest, should complete the deliberations (on terrorism) and come up with a strong, united, coded action to tackle terror, its sponsors and those who are funding or supporting it,” Mr Naidu said. He added that it is the way forward for peace, and for protection of rights of people.

The conclave was organised by the National Human Rights Commission as part of its Silver Jubilee celebrations. Foreign participants of the conclave included senior officials from apex human rights bodies in Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and representatives from Scotland, Croatia and other countries.

Mr Naidu also said that “misuse of provisions of human rights” is a matter of concern, in recent times.  “Some people kill others, destroy public property and then claim human rights violations. Is it right? Terrorists, extremists have to be curbed,” he said.