Law Ministers Strategise on Combating Terrorism

Commonwealth law ministers and attorneys-general have agreed on measures to help commonwealth countries fight against terrorism during the Law Ministers Meeting in Nassau, The Bahamas, from October 16 to 19, 2017

According to the 2016 Terrorism Global Index Report, two of the five countries in which terrorism remains most highly concentrated are Commonwealth countries.

In line with the United Nations resolution 2178, which promises to address the growing threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs), law ministers agreed to share experiences and put in place measures to address the phenomenon of terrorists crossing borders to commit acts of terrorism.

They also agreed that non-coercive measures should be adopted where necessary, or in combination with criminal justice approaches.

Alongside the main summit, the Guide to Legislative Reform was launched at a side event, providing a step-by-step approach to forming successful legislation.

The Commonwealth intends to assist Commonwealth countries in implementing the United Nations Conventions and other critical legislation to tackle rule of law issues.

Katalaina Sapolu, Director of the Commonwealth’s Governance and Peace Directorate, said, “Since the 9/11 attacks in the United States, the number of terrorist organisations has not only grown, but they have become much more organised and their structures continue to evolve … and it is difficult to articulate the depth of the pain and sorrow they have inflicted on so many families in so many countries.

“So it is critically important for our law ministers to explore, discuss and agree on strategies to stop extremists in their tracks.”