Comparative analysis of the problem of defining the criminal offense of terrorism in international law

The issue of defining terrorism as a criminal offense in international law raises numerous controversies, and recent efforts to reach a consensus remain challenging and complex. This article presents a comparative analysis of different approaches to defining terrorism within the framework of international legal order. Taking into account various documents and conventions, such as the UN Convention on Terrorism and General Assembly resolutions, the article analyzes the issues that arise in attempts to establish a globally acceptable uniform definition. The article also considers the differences between legal systems and the influence of political interests on the definition of terrorism, as well as the legal consequences stemming from various conceptual approaches. The primary aim of this paper is to examine the shortcomings of international law and propose potential solutions that could contribute to greater legal clarity and effectiveness in the global fight against terrorism. Keywords: terrorism, international law, definition of terrorism, criminal offense, legal comparison, legal systems, global consensus