Sunday, January 14, 2007
ASEAN: CT convention
ASEAN Summit: Cebu convention on counter terrorism
A Agreement many are calling a ‘landmark’ declaration that will mark a shift to more cooperation between those fighting versus trans-national terrorism. There is already a high level of cooperation between Malaysia, The Philippines, and Indonesia.
It also covers ‘other’ groups -’Political persons’ - in Article 14; that in the past have been able to gain support at least material support in insurgency i.e. weapons, training, and, ’safe harbor’ or sanctuary from some regimes deemed by those who may be seen as ‘enimies of the state’ by other ASEAN members.
But, If these groups engage in violence to create conditions that diusrupt public order.
While still only a piece of paper drying among the papers signed and put forward. It does allow member states to exchange and collect information that may help end some groups ability to ‘hop around’ ASEAN states. It also assures confidentiality between documents gathered - that these won’t end up in places that will ‘embarrass’ other states unless specific permission is granted.
Seeking relative safety of more sympathetic groups for support.
FULL TEXT OF CEBU CONVENTION Vs. Terrorism:
ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism
Member Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”;
RECALLING the Charter of the United Nations and relevant principles of international law, the relevant international conventions and protocols relating to counter terrorism and relevant resolutions of the United Nations on measures aimed at countering international terrorism, and reaffirming our commitment to protect human rights, fair treatment, the rule of law, and due process as well as the principles enshrined in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia done at Bali on 24 February 1976;
REAFFIRMING that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group;
RECALLING also the ASEAN Declaration on Joint Action to Counter Terrorism and the Declaration on Terrorism adopted at the ASEAN Summits in 2001 and 2002 respectively;
REAFFIRMING our commitment to the Vientiane Action Programme done at Vientiane on 29 November 2004, particularly its thrust on “shaping and sharing of norms” and the need, among others, to work towards the conclusion of an ASEAN Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement, and an ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism, and the establishment of an ASEAN Extradition Treaty as envisaged by the 1976 Declaration of ASEAN Concord;
DEEPLY CONCERNED over the grave danger posed by terrorism to innocent lives, infrastructure and the environment, regional and international peace and stability as well as to economic development;
REALISING the importance of identifying and effectively addressing the root causes of terrorism in the formulation of any counter terrorism measures;
REITERATING that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, committed wherever, whenever, and by whomsoever, is a profound threat to international peace and security and a direct challenge to the attainment of peace, progress and prosperity for ASEAN and the realisation of ASEAN Vision 2020;
REAFFIRMING our strong commitment to enhance cooperation in countering terrorism which covers the prevention and suppression of all forms of terrorist acts;
REITERATING the need to improve regional cooperation on counter terrorism and undertake effective measures through deepening cooperation among ASEAN law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities in countering terrorism;
ENCOURAGING the Parties to become parties as soon as possible to the relevant international conventions and protocols relating to counter terrorism;
Have agreed as follows:
Article I
Objective
This Convention shall provide for the framework for regional cooperation to counter, prevent and suppress terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to deepen cooperation among law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities of the Parties in countering terrorism.
Article II
Criminal Acts of Terrorism