The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts Monday, for failure to consider repatriation. The position of the US is that the issue of repatriation is of vital importance to address the problem of terrorism at its root, and that “all nations need to take responsibility for their citizens who engage in terror.”

Ambassador Kelly Craft issued a statement explaining the vote and the US position that to not repatriate terrorist fighters to their home countries to be prosecuted creates serious security implications and leaves open a “breeding ground for the next generation of fighters.”

The resolution as proposed called for prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration of those involved in terrorism-related activities, and was designed to reinforce international action on counter-terrorism. In her statement, Craft highlighted that the US “will not waiver in the fight against terrorism or give in to half measures,” and stated that the “US provides the example” of bringing citizens back to be prosecuted.

Prior to the vote on Monday, the US had made it clear that repatriation was of extreme importance to addressing the drivers of terrorism and that “failing to address head on the importance of repatriation will inevitably perpetuate the problem of terrorism.”