SCO declaration: Double standards in fight against terrorism unacceptable

STRESSING THAT “double standards” in the fight against terror are unacceptable, leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Tuesday called on the international community to combat terrorism, including the cross-border movement of terrorists. This is part of the ‘Bishkek Declaration’ adopted by India, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, China, and the Central Asian countries in the SCO grouping.

The declaration is significant as India has consistently maintained that Pakistan is responsible for cross-border terrorism in the country. The joint declaration, adopted at the end of the SCO leaders’ summit in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, stated:

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“Member States, reaffirming their firm commitment to combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, emphasise the inadmissibility of attempts to exploit terrorist, separatist, and extremist groups for selfish purposes. They recognize the leading role of sovereign states and their competent authorities in countering terrorist and extremist threats.”

• Member states consider attempts to discredit government bodies and structures of SCO member states unacceptable.
• They emphasize that such actions are contrary to international law and undermine the principles of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs enshrined in the UN Charter.
• The declaration strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and calls on the international community to combat terrorism, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, with the UN playing a central role.