Mekong region stepping up safeguards against returning foreign terrorist fighters



Bangkok (Thailand), 27 February 2017
- Officials from across the Mekong region have gathered in Bangkok to step up efforts in the investigation and prosecution of foreign terrorist fighters. Senior investigators and prosecutors of terrorism-related cases from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam attended an intensive three-day training programme that looks at the latest situation of the foreign terrorist fighters and its implications for ASEAN, taking into account the emerging hotspots for dispersing foreign terrorist fighters including in Southeast Asia.

The training comes on the back of the developing situation in Syria and Iraq, and calls for all countries to be prepared for the consequences of ISIL's setback and the growing prospect of foreign terrorist fighters leaving the conflict zones. Accordingly, there was a strong emphasis on international legal and cooperation frameworks, information sharing mechanisms, practical tools and technical skills to assist with investigations and prosecutions.

"As ISIL is losing more ground, more foreign terrorist fighters will be driven out of Syria and Iraq," said UNODC Regional Representative Jeremy Douglas. "This activity is part of a broader strategy to strengthen ASEAN's capacity to address terrorism and its financing. As the situation in Syria and Iraq develops, this kind of initiative has become increasingly essential."

The situation requires ASEAN to be prepared both at the national and regional levels. Security at the border, through coherent policies, coordinated action plans and effective sharing of operational information, is at the forefront of efforts to mitigate risks posed by these returnees. However, impeding foreign terrorist fighters' cross-border movements is only part of the comprehensive criminal justice responses.

Pursuant to various United Nations Security Council Resolutions, especially 1373 and 2178, all member states have an obligation to bring terrorist perpetrators to justice. Effective investigation and prosecution of cases relating to foreign terrorist fighters is essential in reducing impunity as well as preventing threats that they could present in the future.



During the opening session, H.E. Donica Pottie, Ambassador of Canada in the Kingdom of Thailand, expressed the importance of states working collaboratively in Southeast Asia to most effectively facilitate the investigation and prosecution of terrorists in the region.

The training builds on previous training initiatives for frontline officers held in September 2016, with the aim of enhancing the whole criminal justice cycle against foreign terrorist fighters. UNODC's Field Guide for Frontline Officers to Counter Terrorism and Foreign Terrorist Fighters further assists ASEAN member states in this regard. The Guide will be translated into Bahasa, Myanmar, and Thai languages.

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