A Critical Analysis of the U.N. Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings

1. Introduction On 9 January 1998, the General Assembly of the United Nations approved Resolution 52/164 adopting the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings. This is the latest effort by the international community to close the lid on the panacea of terrorism. Before we attempt to examine in detail the Convention, it is worthwhile to refer briefly to other international instruments fighting terrorism. In the pre-WWII period, terrorism was not an issue of crucial importance and the only noteworthy treaty of that period was the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Terrorism, which was concluded in 1937 under the auspices of the League of Nations. The advancement and spread of technology in the post-WWII era gave a new dimension to terrorism. The international community reacted by concluding treaties aiming, in particular, at combatting civil aviation terrorism, maritime terrorism, and terrorist acts against internationally protected persons. The following instruments have been, inter alia, adopted: Convention on Offences Committed on Board Aircraft (Tokyo, 1963); Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft (Hague, 1970); Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation (Montreal, 1971); Convention on the Making of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection (Montreal, 1991); Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (Rome, 1988); and Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons, Including Diplomatic Agents (New York, 1973)... [more]