United in the pursuit of justice
Mike Smith
The people of South Asia have more
that binds them together than tears them apart: rich histories, vibrant
cultures, the desire to build a better future for themselves and their
loved ones. They are united in their humanity and their quest for a
peaceful life. But terrorists defy these shared values
South Asia has unfortunately suffered greatly over the years at the
hands of terrorist groups espousing a wide variety of ideologies, whose
actions cannot be defended. The United Nations condemns terrorism in all
its forms, regardless of its purpose and wherever it is committed. No
cause can justify the murder of innocent people. The organization has
made it clear that acts of terrorism are 'criminal and unjustifiable'
and has spelled out how states should deal with this threat to
international peace and security.
In a broad and strong resolution adopted in September 2001, the
United Nations Security Council required all Member States of the United
Nations to take measures against terrorism. The key objectives were to
go after the money, weapons and people needed for such criminal
purposes. Both the Security Council and the General Assembly have since
then stressed the importance of taking preventive measures and
addressing the conditions that can give rise to terrorism as well as
conducting all counter-terrorism in a manner that respects the rule of
law and human rights.
Good practices
We understand this is easier said than done, and that is why the
United Nations family, including the Counter-Terrorism Committee
Executive Directorate (CTED), which I head, provides guidance and
assists in developing the capacity of states in their efforts to deal
with this pervasive issue.
For governments in South Asia and other regions of the world, the
task can appear daunting. Yet the countries of South Asia have been at
the forefront when it comes to recognizing and tackling the problem.
They have responded to the threat of terrorism with energy and
determination, creating solutions and good practices from which those in
other regions can learn.
The countries of South Asia have long recognized that terrorism
cannot be defeated without cooperation. As early as 1987, the South
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) adopted its Regional
Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism, calling on its members to
cooperate more by exchanging information, intelligence and expertise.
The legal framework now includes treaties on the financing of terrorism
and mutual legal assistance.
As simplistic as it may sound, it is vital that national and regional
authorities work together. Three of several groups that need to do so,
even across borders, are police officers, prosecutors and judges.
Without them, there can be no investigations, arrests, trials or
convictions. Justice would never be served.
Global workshops
Over the past decade, we at the United Nations have noted that states
have taken various approaches to reduce the chance of terrorist attacks
succeeding. One strategy that has worked extremely well and has turned
out to be critical involves improving exchange of information between
countries.
CTED has focused its attention on creating opportunities for such
interaction. One of our main activities has been to organize regional
and global workshops dealing with different aspects of
counter-terrorism. This is what brings us to Bhutan and, once again, to
South Asia.
From May 24 to 26 senior Police officers, prosecutors and, for the
first time, judges from the eight SAARC members will meet in Thimphu,
Bhutan, to discuss common challenges and strategies. They will consider
specific issues that arise in the context of terrorism-related cases,
such as interviewing suspects, interrogation techniques, the challenges
of using classified evidence in prosecutions, and the effective
implementation of laws aimed at countering terrorism and transnational
crime.
The workshop in Bhutan is the fourth in a series of events organized
by CTED and the Centre on Global Counterterrorism Cooperation with the
support of SAARC and host countries in South Asia.
Like its predecessors in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, this
month's event will seek to identify effective approaches, specific to
the region and grounded in respect for human rights and the rule of law.
We are well aware that one meeting or a series of workshops is not a
solution in itself, but it is a key component in national, regional and
international strategies to prevent and more effectively respond to
terrorism. In the short term, we hope participants will go back home
with a renewed sense of purpose and a strong network of colleagues. In
the long run, we hope such meetings will become commonplace and that
relations will intensify, in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation.
The writer is Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations
and head of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate |