Terrorists ‘more lethal, audacious’

The UN task force on counterterrorism renewed calls for greater coordination between countries in SE Asia and globally as terror acts are becoming more dangerous in the region.

Representatives from Southeast Asian countries met in Jakarta Thursday in a Regional Workshop on the Implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy to promote a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism.

“Terrorism today is not merely killing innocent civilians, but actually targeting the very existence and legitimacy of the state. Terrorists today are growing more lethal, strategic and audacious,” said Jean Paul Laborde, director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force.

“The recent cases of mail packages packed with explosives show a new tactic in the overall strategy to disrupt international communications and trade.”

He said the problem of terrorism in southern Philippines, southern Thailand and Indonesia reminded the global community that terrorists were active in the region, while acknowledging the region has clearly demonstrated resolve in countering terrorism via regional actions.

“In facing this threat, no action would be sufficient unless all major determinants of the international, regional and national policy-making are attuned to the threat and committed to dealing with all aspects
of terrorism.”

“The UN and its international partners must support national and regional efforts, accessibility to populations and universally-embraced principles to counterterrorism from all angles.”

Promoting knowledge of the global UN strategy at the regional level would be the most effective method to implementing it at the national level, he said, as the UN found that counterterrorism shortfalls were common between countries in the same region.

One key area where the international community must focus on counterterrorism is the involvement of civil society organizations in promoting inter-cultural dialogue and protecting human rights.

“While we continue to focus on security and law enforcement in our counterterrorism activities, we must not ignore educational curriculum, promotion of tolerance and protection of human rights.”

Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Triyono Wibowo said in his keynote speech that countries in the region have made significant progress in countering terrorism by strengthening legal infrastructure and law enforcement, sharing of best practices and capacity building programs.

“We are pleased to observe a diminishing trend in terror incidents in the region and that terrorist networks have suffered major setbacks, thanks to years of hard work,” he said, stressing that the threat of terror is not yet over as the region is facing challenges emanating from fundamentalism.

To come to grips with this threat, the region should address the underlying causes of terrorism, including economic hardship and lack of education and employment opportunities, he told the workshop.

“Through the UN strategy, we are calling on countries to work with the UN in promoting development, which can be perceived as facilitating disengagement and deradicalization, as well as promoting social and economic development.”

The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted by member states in September 2006 comprises four pillars: addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, preventing and combating terrorism, taking measures to build the capacity of the state and ensuring respect for human rights. Participants in the two-day workshop are also expected to come up with recommendations to foster counterterrorism cooperation at the regional level.