The Global Project on Strengthening the Legal Regime Against Terrorism

 

The Global Project was established in 2003 to assist states in strengthening their counter-terrorism legal framework in accordance with the international legal instruments against terrorism, relevant Security Council resolutions, the rule of law and human rights standards. Since late 2009, the Global Project has focused on an innovative and sustainable strategy to respond to the evolving needs of Member States. This strategy builds upon traditional assistance such as the ratification and legislative incorporation of the international legal instruments against terrorism by enhancing the UNODC Terrorism Prevention Branch's (TPB) engagement in long-term capacity building to assist Member States in developing their criminal justice systems to effectively prevent terrorism.

Strengthening UNODC's field expertise in counter-terrorism and increasing links with other UN entities and other relevant sub-regional, regional and international organizations in delivering technical assistance has been key to implementing the new strategy. Furthermore, the innovative use of technology in delivering technical assistance and capacity building programmes, has contributed to the strong impact of the project upon participating Member State criminal justice systems.

Global Project Structure

In response to the increased demand for capacity building assistance by Member States, UNODC/TPB's unique, three-pronged Global Project strategy now offers:

(i) sustained, tailor-made assistance on the ground, reaching out to domestic criminal justice practitioners involved in the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of terrorist cases; (ii) assistance for strengthening international, regional and sub-regional cooperation related to terrorist cases; (iii) expertise building for government officers in specialized thematic areas such as the use of internet for terrorist purposes, victims of terrorism, the financing of terrorism and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear terrorist attacks;

 

UNODC/TPB has implemented this new Global Project strategy by adopting a field driven approach to implementing national-level, tailor-made, in-depth assistance and incorporating specific measures to ensure formal processes of knowledge transfer into TPB training and technical assistance activities. Furthermore, TPB has increased strategic partnerships and synergies, including with other UN bodies and partner entities at the international, regional and sub-regional levels, to maximize consultation, coordination and cooperation in counter-terrorism assistance delivery and has focused upon developing a results-based strategy and a standardized program management cycle to be applied systematically by staff.

By utilizing a wide range of technical assistance delivery mechanisms, including new technology and on-line training, TPB has strengthened its capacity as a key global provider of counter-terrorism legal assistance.

Global Project in the field

Currently, UNODC/TPB has a total of 17 staff located in 9 field locations, mainly within UNODC's field offices, working to strengthen the legal regime at the national level in their respective regions. UNODC/TPB experts work together to undertake national level technical assistance activities using a five-step methodology:

1. Analyze relevant national legislation;

2. Work with national authorities and identify needs;

3. Assist in drafting national laws for implementing counter-terrorism instruments;

4. Recommend further implementation steps and provide active follow-up;

5. Train criminal justice officials in implementing the new laws and international judicial cooperation.

Technical assistance is delivered through presence in or missions to the requesting state, video conferences and other communication means or visits of national officials to Vienna. Initial technical assistance missions often result in action plans for follow-up and the provision of sustained long-term assistance.

TPB's regional meetings mobilize countries' political commitment and intensify national action to ratify and implement the international instruments against terrorism and increase international cooperation in combating terrorism. Follow-up regional meetings evaluate progress made, help sustain countries' commitments and identify areas where assistance is necessary.

To assist countries to understand the provisions contained in the international legal instruments against terrorism, to draft new legislation which complies with the requirements in the international instruments, and to enhance international cooperation to fight terrorism, TPB has developed several technical assistance tools and publications. For a full list of TPB tools and publications click here.