Turning our attention to the second framework...

Turning our attention to the second framework, namely the general human framework, we can accept those principles that are unanimously respected by mankind as represented by its official organs, its popular organizations, its conscience and sentiments, as another set of criteria to determine the presence of humaneness or its opposite in the intention of the perpetrator, and of the above-mentioned general acceptability (although we believe the two criteria to be mostly overlapping).

As an example of the foregoing, we may notice the present unanimity of mankind in considering the following as inhuman: • prostitution and the disintegration of family relationships; • narcotics and the disintegration of an individual’s rational personality; • colonialism and the undermining of people’s dignity and plundering of their resources; • racism and the disintegration of human brotherhood; • violation of all recognized rights and the breaking of covenants: • bombardment of populated areas, use of chemical weapons.

attacks on civil aviation, national railways, commercial and tourist vessels, and similar methods which are universally condemned in war. There is no divergence whatsoever as regards the anti-human nature of the above instances. Therefore, these and similar violations suggest the acceptable criteria which should form the basis of our definition, and any action to eliminate and oppose them is a human act which must be supported if itself not accompanied by a violation of other human values.

Fourth Point: Definition of Terrorism In light of the above, we can arrive at a comprehensive definition of terrorist acts, a definition which is unanimously acceptable and on which we can base our positions. Yet before putting forth our suggested definition, we may recall that we should note therein the following elements: • intimidation and violation of the security of any kind; • presence of inhuman intention and motive; • unacceptability of the end and purpose and the act itself by humanity.

Accordingly, our definition may be as follows: Terrorism is an act carried out to achieve an inhuman and corrupt (mufsid) objective and involving a threat to the security of any kind, and violation of rights acknowledged by religion and mankind. For the sake of clarity, we may add the following points: 1. We have used the term ‘human’ instead of ‘international’ for the sake of wider consensus, official or otherwise, so as to emphasize the general human character of the statement. 2.