Countering terrorism: Expert for multi-layered response

UNODC official says terrorists’ capacity to do harm must never be underestimated

Terrorism continues to inflict pain and suffering on innocent people around the globe and nations need multi-layered responses to counter the scourge.

This was said by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) Section for Asia and Europe Officer In charge Dolgor Solongo on Monday at the opening ceremony of a week-long “National Training of Trainers Workshop for Judges, Prosecutors and Investigators on the Global Legal Framework against Terrorism and Relevant Criminal Measures” at the Federal Judicial Academy FJA) Islamabad, said a press release.

“The capacity of terrorists to do harm, whether they are in Syria, Yemen or elsewhere, must never be underestimated. Countering this scourge is in the interest of all of humanity and the issue has been on the agenda of the United Nations for decades.

Thus, there are several universal instruments against international terrorism which elaborate the framework of the United Nations system relating to specific terrorist activities,” she said.

Solongo said that member states, through the UN General Assembly, have been increasingly coordinating their counterterrorism efforts and continuing their legal norm-setting work. The UN Security Council has also been active in countering terrorism through resolutions and by establishing several subsidiary bodies. At the same time a number of programmes, offices and agencies of the United Nations have been engaged in specific activities against terrorism, further assisting member states in their counter-terrorism efforts.

While speaking about the aims and objects of the workshop, she said, “Since this workshop is devoted to international cooperation and integrated policies, it will provide a forum for all three major players in Pakistan’s criminal justice system to share experiences and broaden knowledge in becoming party to and implementing universal legal instruments against terrorism.

“We have to explore the potential of the existing legal framework against terrorism and other forms of organised crime. We have to discuss anti-terrorism laws in Pakistan, how domestic legislation can be improved, how effective cooperation can be enhanced and upgraded for better results, and above all, to produce trainer of trainers in this very crucial field who can impart training to others players of Criminal Justice System in Pakistan and also in the SAARC region countries, when necessary.”

FJA Director-General Dr Faqir Hussain spoke about the scope and importance of the workshop, international legal instruments to combat various forms of terrorism, difficulties in tracing the crime of terrorism, investigation and trial, the absolute principle of fair hearing and legislative and judicial response from Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2015.