Declaration of the Special Session of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE)

(Adopted at the First Plenary Session held on October 15, 2001)

The Member States of the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE) of the Organization of American States (OAS), meeting in Washington, D. C., on October 15, 2001, at its First Special Session,

Express their most vigorous condemnation of the terrorist acts that occurred on United States territory last September;

Express their deepest and most sincere condolences to all Member States, and in particular to the Government and people of the United States and, especially, the victims and their families;

Reaffirm their full adherence to the principles, purposes and standards of the OAS Charter and the United Nations Charter, which enshrine the right of all countries to live in democracy, freedom, justice, and peace;

Consider that those brutal and indiscriminate attacks against innocent people constitute a threat to international peace and security;

Emphasize that terrorist activities, such as those perpetrated on September 11, 2001, constitute an attack not only on an OAS Member State, but also on all free and democratic states; and

Express the need to strengthen hemispheric solidarity and cooperation to prevent and eradicate terrorism, in the framework of the rule of law, to ensure full observance of human rights, democratic institutions and international law.