Why was a new international counter-terrorist legal framework established during the second half of the Twentieth Century?

The establishment of a new international counter-terrorist legal framework during the second half of the Twentieth Century was primarily driven by the need to address the complexities of state-sponsored terrorism and the involvement of rogue states. As terrorism began to manifest as a significant global security threat, it became evident that existing laws and protocols were inadequate for the challenges posed by non-state actors and their connections to particular states that supported or harbored them.

A legal framework was crucial for several reasons. First, it provided a means to hold both the individuals committing acts of terrorism and the states that supported them accountable under international law. This included defining terrorism in legal terms, establishing acceptable responses by nations, and facilitating international cooperation in suppressing terrorist activities. The ancient and traditional notions of sovereignty and non-interference in state affairs made it essential to craft new legal standards that could balance those principles with the need to combat terrorism effectively.

Furthermore, the prominence of international terrorism, particularly during events like the rise of groups in the 1960s and 1970s, highlighted the necessity for countries to work collaboratively against an increasingly global threat. Thus, the development of comprehensive international laws aimed to strengthen collective security and foster a unified response to the challenges posed by terrorism sponsored by rogue states