Tackling terrorism collectively

All anti-terrorism activities should be carried out with full respect for human rights and it is completely unacceptable to use torture.

This was one of the primary discussion points during the fourth regional workshop for police, prosecutors, and judges in South Asia.

The three-day workshop on effectively countering terrorism ended yesterday with significant outcomes, according to Mike Smith, the Executive Director of Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate.

Police officials, prosecutors, and judges from eight countries attended the workshop hosted by Bhutan in association with the United Nations Counter Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (UNCTED). Resource persons included representatives of the member states and representatives of several United Nations and international organizations including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, International Criminal Police Organization, and the Commonwealth. The SAARC Secretariat and the European Union also participated as observers.

Mike Smith said that terrorism is a phenomenon which very often has a regional character so it is important for the regions to come together.
In his opening address, the home minister of Bhutan, Lyonpo Minjur Dorji, said that the post 9/11 world terrorism is arguably one of the most serious challenges faced by the global community.

“It is a phenomenon that recognizes no boundaries, and often leaves little or no footprint, and harbours the singular intent of inflicting pain and destruction to as many innocent victims as possible,” said Lyonpo Minjur Dorji.
He added that no country in the world can today claim immunity from the scourge of terrorism and nearly all governments have been vociferous in their collective abhorrence of terrorism and terrorist acts.

The home minister said that regional and international cooperation and proactive law enforcement are important in combating terrorism in all its manifestations.
Asked what Bhutan should do to counter terrorism, Mike Smith said that Bhutan can first raise awareness on the issue and adopt appropriate legislation. The country should also ensure that the legalisation can successfully prosecute terrorists. He said Bhutan should also strengthen the border control.

Some of the issues discussed in the meeting included protection of eyewitnesses, charging people before the crime were committed, and having evidence from the intelligence and interviewing subjects.

According to a press statement from the foreign ministry, the purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness of the latest available legal regimes and investigation techniques among senior police officers, prosecutors, and judges in South Asia for countering terrorism and to enhance their capacities for combating terrorism.

The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate carries out the policy decisions of the Counter Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council which works to bolster the ability of the United Nations Member States to prevent terrorist acts both within their borders and across regions. The Directorate was established in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Centre on Global Counter Terrorism with the support of the governments of Australia and Denmark.