The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), acting on behalf of the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, conducted its first comprehensive assessment visit to the Republic of Poland from 9 to 13 December 2019. The visit focused on assessing Poland’s implementation of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005) and 2178 (2014), as well as on measures introduced to implement more recent Security Council resolutions, including 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019), 2482 (2019) and other relevant Council resolutions.
Representatives of national ministries and agencies that are directly or indirectly involved in countering terrorism and violent extremism took part in the five-day discussions.
Poland has not suffered any large-scale terrorist attacks in recent years. Nevertheless, there has been a significant evolution of the terrorist threat in the region, and Poland’s membership in the European Union (EU) and NATO, as well as the participation of Polish troops in international peace operations may increase the risk of attacks in Poland or against Polish citizens abroad. Poland is also a part of the Schengen area, and forms part of the European Union’s eastern border, and as such faces elevated risk of trafficking in persons, cash and arms to or from conflict zones. The Government is also cognizant of the threat related to the return of a small number of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) from the conflict zones where ISIL was active, albeit to other States within the EU, as well as the risks of violent behavior from those holding extremist views.
The delegation appreciated the constructive and open dialogue with the Polish authorities, consistent with Poland’s international support for the United Nations’Counter-Terrorism Committee’s efforts and its Executive Directorate. The delegation noted high levels of cooperation with neighbouring countries in law enforcement efforts, and significant efforts to implement international and European Union measures on border management.
The delegation also held meetings with academia, the Office of Commissioner for Human Rights, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX).