1 ICJ‐Kenya The Judiciary of the United Republic of Tanzania REGIONAL COUNTER‐TERRORISM AND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING WORKSHOP, 31 AUGUST – 2 SEPTEMBER 2010. GOLDEN TULIP HOTEL, DAR ES SALAAM REPORT INTRODUCTION East Africa has been adversely impacted by a broad range of international crimes, such as terrorism, human trafficking, money laundering and piracy, which continue to pose serious threats to peace and security in the region. Moreover, the region has also witnessed some of the most heinous and egregious crimes including war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, which have been the subject of international criminal justice proceedings. For example, an ad hoc international tribunal was set up to address the Rwandan genocide; Kenya and Uganda are situation countries before the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Burundi is in the process of consolidating peace after many years of conflict. The establishment of the ICC in 2002 and the ‘global war on terrorism’ that ensued following those tragic terrorist attacks on the United States of America on 11 September 2001 (henceforth referred to as 9/11) have generated a new impetus to a law‐based approach to addressing international crimes. For a period spanning nearly 50 years, the international community has developed sixteen universal counter‐terrorism instruments and expanded the international treaty framework for dealing with transnational organised crime and money laundering. These criminal justice regimes are built on the fundamental premise that the burden for rendering justice to perpetrators of these serious crimes rests predominantly on national jurisdictions. This requires domestic criminal justice systems to have the necessary capacities and competencies to deal with international crimes effectively, as well as a clear understanding of the specific responsibilities and jurisdictions of the international criminal justice mechanisms such as the ICC.
24
Embed
REGIONAL COUNTER‐TERRORISM AND INTERNATIONAL … › site › uploads › 31... · crimes of terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking, environmental crimes and other transnational
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
REPORTINTRODUCTIONEastAfricahasbeenadversely impactedbyabroad rangeof international crimes,suchasterrorism,humantrafficking,money launderingandpiracy,whichcontinuetoposeseriousthreatstopeaceandsecurityintheregion.Moreover,theregionhasalsowitnessedsomeofthemostheinousandegregiouscrimesincludingwarcrimes,genocide,andcrimesagainsthumanity,whichhavebeenthesubjectofinternationalcriminal justiceproceedings.Forexample,anadhoc international tribunalwassetup to address the Rwandan genocide; Kenya and Uganda are situation countriesbefore the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Burundi is in the process ofconsolidatingpeaceaftermanyyearsofconflict.TheestablishmentoftheICCin2002andthe‘globalwaronterrorism’thatensuedfollowing those tragic terrorist attacks on the United States of America on 11September2001(henceforthreferredtoas9/11)havegeneratedanewimpetustoalaw‐based approach to addressing international crimes. For a period spanningnearly 50 years, the international community has developed sixteen universalcounter‐terrorisminstrumentsandexpandedtheinternationaltreatyframeworkfordealing with transnational organised crime andmoney laundering. These criminaljusticeregimesarebuiltonthefundamentalpremisethattheburdenforrenderingjustice to perpetrators of these serious crimes rests predominantly on nationaljurisdictions.This requiresdomesticcriminal justice systems tohave thenecessarycapacitiesandcompetenciestodealwithinternationalcrimeseffectively,aswellasa clear understanding of the specific responsibilities and jurisdictions of theinternationalcriminaljusticemechanismssuchastheICC.
2
DespitenotableprogressmadebyseveralcountriesinEastAfrica,therealityisthatmany states lack the required laws and technical capacities to deal with thesecomplex crimeswithin theirdomestic criminal justice systems. Inorder to supportregional capacity‐building and facilitate the sharing of good practices amongcountries in the region, the Judiciary of the United Republic of Tanzania incollaboration with the International Crime in Africa Programme (ICAP) at theInstitute for Security Studies (ISS) and the International Commission of Jurists,KenyanChapter(ICJ‐Kenya)jointlyorganisedaregionaltrainingworkshopforseniorlaw enforcement, criminal justice and judicial officials on counter‐terrorism andinternationalcrimes.ObjectivesoftheworkshopThemainobjectivesoftheworkshopwereto:
• provide capacity‐building programme tailored to the needs of countries inEastAfrica;
• facilitatethesharingofbestpracticesonthecriminaljusticeresponsestothecrimes of terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking, environmentalcrimesandothertransnationalorganisedcrimes;
• enhanceunderstanding about the ICC and its jurisdictions vis‐à‐vis nationaljurisdictionsoverinternationalcrimes;
• enhanceregionalcooperationoninternationalcriminaljusticeresponses.ParticipationTheworkshopwasheld from31August to2September2010,at theGoldenTulipHotel inDaresSalaam,TanzaniaandattendedbyChiefJusticesfromTanzaniaandZanzibar, Seychelles, Southern Sudan and about 80 judges and legal experts fromMauritius,Rwanda,Seychelles,SouthernSudan,TanzaniaandUgandaincludinglawenforcement officers and experts on international criminal justice and counter‐terrorism.AjudgefromtheICCalsoattendedthetrainingasaresourceperson.InaugurationTheworkshopwasofficiallyopenedbyH.E.DrAmaniAbeidKarumethePresidentofZanzibarandChairmanoftheRevolutionaryCouncil.Inhiswelcomingremarks,thePresidentunderscoredthe importanceoftheworkshopbothasaforumtodiscussand increase capacity in dealing with serious crimes committed outside stateborders,andasapositivemovetowardsforgingcloserjudicialtiesamongcountriesin the region.Hestated that terrorismremainsa seriousglobal issueand that therecentattacksinKampalaon11July2010highlighteditscontinuedthreattoAfrica.In this context, He commended the objective of the workshop, stressing the
3
imperative that 'judicial officers continue to possess the requisite intellectual andmoral strength to discharge their duties with competence and fairness.' Inconclusion, President Karume called on the experts to bring together their vastexperiences and assist governments in drawing up result‐oriented strategies forcurbinginternationalcrimes.Mr Anton du Plessis, Head of the International Crime in Africa Programme, in hisopening address noted the importance of developing domestic criminal justiceresponsestointernationalcrimes.Hefurtherhighlightedthefactthatthiscouldbedonewithinthecontextofthealreadyexistinginternationallegalframeworkintheformoftreaties,conventionsandotherinternationalnorms,whichwereelucidatedthroughouttheproceedingsofthetrainingworkshop.ProceedingsThe workshop covered a broad range of issues relating to the investigation,prosecution and adjudication of core international and the above‐mentionedtransnational crimes – see attached programme Annexure 1. Participantsdeliberated on a wide range of issues including the history, origin and generalprinciples of international criminal law; the ICC and issues related to jurisdiction,complementarity, investigation of international crimes; aswell as the dynamics ofpeace, and justice, amnesty, immunities,witness protection, terrorismandmoneylaunderingineasternandsouthernAfricaintelligenceandmeasuresforsuppressingthefinancingofterrorism,organisedcrimeandorganisedenvironmentalcrime.Thetrainersemployedvarioustrainingmethodsincludingvideos,generallecture,powerpointpresentationsetc.The participants acknowledged the important contribution that the ISS and ICJ‐Kenyahasmadetowardsthesuccessfulorganisationoftheworkshop.Therewasastrong emphasis on the need to hold regularworkshops and consultations of thisnature. At the end ofworkshop, participants discussed and adopted a number ofrecommendationstowardsstrengtheningtheinternationalcriminaljusticeresponsetointernationalcrimesinAfrica.The workshop was closed by Hon. Mathias M. Chikawe, Minister for Justice andConstitutionalAffairsof theUnitedRepublicof Tanzania,who reiterated theneedforconcertedaction,particularlyamongjudgesandsecurityofficialsindealingwithinternational crimes. He also expressed the hope that participants will utilise theskills gained from the three‐day workshop to improve criminal justice in theirrespectivecountries.
4
SUMMARYOFWORKSHOPSESSIONSTheworkshopwasstructuredintoseveralpaneldiscussions,whichweremoderatedby senior judges. Following is the summary of the topics covered and the mainpointsthatcameoutofthediscussionsduringtheworkshop.Session1:ConceptualandHistoricaldevelopmentofinternationalcriminaljusticeandgeneralprinciplesofinternationalcriminallaw
• Internationalcriminallawestablishesthatindividualsmaybeheldcriminallyliable and be made to account for the commission of crimes underinternational law; and also borrows from transitional justice the idea thatnationalcourtsmayconfertheirpowerstosomeothertribunalintheeventofincapacity.
theNuremburg Tribunals, finding greater elaboration and taken forward inthejurisprudenceoftheadhoctribunals–InternationalCriminalTribunalforYugoslavia (ICTY) and International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) ‐established in the mid 1990s. These developments gave impetus to theestablishmentofapermanentinternationalcriminalcourt.
• The ICC is a treaty institution established through the coming into forceoftheRomeStatute–whichwasnegotiatedby stateswith support fromcivilsocietyinRome,1998.
• TheICCisfoundedontheprincipleofcomplementarityarticulatedinArticle1–whichstatesthattheICCshallbecomplementarytonationaljurisdictions–andelaboratedingreaterdetailinArticle17,whichstatesthattheICCshallonly intervene in a situation in theevent that a state is eitherunwillingorunabletoproceedwithinvestigationorprosecution.
ofthepreventionandprosecutionofcrimesofinternationalconcern.TheICCdoesnot exist to competewithnational jurisdictionsor to takeupon itselftheobligation to investigateandprosecute thesecrimes– thesearedutiesthat states parties and non‐states parties alike are already bound byinternationallawtoperform.ThereforetheICCisacourtoflastresort.
5
• The Statute provides that states may challenge the jurisdiction of the ICCprovided that genuine investigationsand/orprosecutionsarealreadybeingpursuedinaspecificsituation.
war crimes and genocide. At the recently concluded Review Conference inKampala, statespartiesmadeheadway indefining the crimeof aggression,which will come under the jurisdiction of the ICC in 2017, provided allnecessaryrequirementsaremet.
• Africa’s contribution to the establishment of the ICC is notable. Africawasinstrumental in the development of the Statute, having adopted theDakarprinciples, which formed the basis of the continent’s contribution at thenegotiationsinRome.
• Africa’s commitment toending impunity isunderscored inarticle4hof the
African Union’s (AU) constitutive act. As such, Africa wanted to create aninstitutionthatwouldbein‐keepingwiththisgoalandthatwouldworkforitspeople.
• Senegalwas the first country to ratify the Statute andDRC the 60th state,
therebybringingtheStatuteintoforceon1July2002.Ofthe113statesthathave ratified the Statute, 31 African states have ratified – most recentlySeychelles, and five have adopted or are in the process of adoptingimplementinglegislation,includingKenya,Uganda,BurkinaFaso,SenegalandSouthAfrica.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central Africa Republic (CAR) andUganda were referred to the Court by the countries themselves (self‐referrals). The Kenyan situation came to the ICC by the initiative of theProsecutor and the Sudan Darfur situation became the subject of ICCproceedings through a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) referral,(UNSCresolution1593).
o This raises the concern about the unequal application of justice, theprevailingdoublestandardintheadministrationofinternationalcriminaljustice which seems to target the weak, and uneven landscape ofinternational justice – which is a product of the uneven landscape ofinternationalpolitics–underscoresthecallforUNSCreform
o TheaboveconcernisexacerbatedbythefactthattheUNSChasfailedtorespondtotheAU’srequestforthedeferralofthematterbeforetheICC,whichtheUNSCmaydounderArticle16oftheStatute.
o Onthebasisof this failuretorespondtotherequest foradeferral, the13thAUsummitofheadsofstatedecisionstatedthatAUmemberstateswouldnot cooperate in thearrestandsurrenderofPresidentAl‐Bashir,andwasreiteratedintherecentlyconcluded15thAUsummit
2.2Dynamicsofpeaceandjusticeinthecontextofinternationalcrimes• President Al‐Bashir’s indictment has also brought debates about the
• The AU has justified its stance regarding its request for a deferral of ICCproceedings against President Al‐Bashir by pointing to the ongoing peaceprocessinSudanandbystatingitsconcernthattheICC’spursuitofPresidentAl‐Bashirmay jeopardise the progress towards peace. In the AU’s opinion,thedeferralmaybenecessaryinordertorespectandupholdtheintegrityofthe peace processes at hand including the long standing internationallybrokered Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that is currently playingitselfout.
but rather the creation of an “enabling environment where freedom is areality”)andjusticesustaineachotherhowever intheshort‐termthereareveryrealtensionsthatexistbetweenthetwo.
• There is no question that there is general agreement that both peace and
justice are necessary imperatives for long‐term stability. The discord anddivisioncomesindecidingwhichshouldtakeprecedenceovertheotherandwhen. A case can be and indeed has been made for both sides of theargument.However,noamountofdebateorargumentwillyieldagenerallyacceptedandacceptableanswer.Onlycontextcandecide.
7
• Indeedsomehavesuggested‘sequencing’–arelativelynewconcept–peaceand justice, as a possible solution. However, there is no clear‐cut answer.There is no general formula when it comes to ending conflicts andestablishing lasting peace. Every case, situation, war, victim, society; isdifferent.Thereisnoonesizefitsall.
of justice inanarrowsense–withgreatestemphasisplacedon retributivejustice. However, there is also restorative justice and the two, retributivejusticeandrestorativejusticearetwosidesofthesamecoin.
• Asoneof the speakers aptlynoted: the realityof theuneven landscapeof
internationaljusticeandtheargumentabouttheinterestsofpeacemustnotbe abused to foster an African ‘exceptional‐ism’, which will result in thewideningoftheimpunitygap.
• The indictment of President Al‐Bashir has also raised the thorny issue of
prosecutingasittingheadofstate.
• It is understood that as a sitting head of state (in this case President Al‐Bashir)accordingtointernationalnormsenjoys,likeallothersittingheadsofstate, immunity from arrest and prosecution. However, the Rome Statute‘challenges’thisclassicalpractice,asithasnorespecttopersonsorofficeinregardtothecommissionofICCcrimes.
• As such, the Rome Statute also challenges the classical practice of statesofferingamnestiesinaccordancetotheirvariousnationallaws.
• Theprevailingviewamongvariousscholarsandexpertsisthatwiththebirthof the Rome Statute system, amnesty for ICC crimes is impermissible. Thisview is premised on the argument that peace can never be sustainablewithoutjustice–allbeitthenarrowconceptionofjusticeasretribution.
• In addition, it was noted that traditional truth, justice and reconciliationmechanisms shouldnotbe ignoredasprocesses forhealing thenationandpromoting forgiveness. However, these mechanisms should meetinternationalstandardsandmustadvanceaccountability.
8
Session 3: Positive complementarity and witness protection in the context ofinternationalcrimes
3.1ComplementarityandtheEastAfricaregion
• International criminal justice is a subjectof concern for theEastAfricaandthehornofAfrica.Inrecentyears,thesub‐regionhasfallenvictimtovariousforms of international crime including genocide, war crimes, and crimesagainst humanity, terrorism, money laundering and piracy. Therefore theprincipleofcomplementarityismostrelevantandmustbeappliedbystatesin the region in order equip and strengthen local justice systems toinvestigateandprosecutethesecrimes,andtherebyreduceimpunity intheregion.
• FollowingtheJubaPeacetalksbetweentheUgandanGovernmentandLordsResistanceArmy, a specialDivisionof theHighCourtofUganda– theWarCrimes Division – was created to try the perpetrators of the atrocitiescommitted in Northern Uganda during the two decade long conflict. InadditiontotheWarCrimesDivision,Ugandahasinplaceaspecialunitof12investigatorsand6SeniorStateAttorneysmanningtheProsecutionsUnittodeal with these crimes. This High Court War Crimes Division is a goodexampleofanattemptatempoweringlocaljurisdictionstodealwithseriouscrimes.Although it hasmany challenges including limited resources – bothhuman and financial, it is a good start to the effort of implementing theprovisionsoftheRomeStatuteandlivinguptostatesparties’obligations.
3.2WitnessProtection
• The impetusforthe investigationandprosecutionof internationalcrimes is
derivedfromconcernfortheplightofvictimsandtheirrightto justice.TheICC has set a new precedent on victims’ participation as it provides forvictimstobeinvolvedateverystageofproceedingsfromthepre‐trialtothetrial stage of the its proceedings. National jurisdictions are encouraged tofollow suit. As states enact various legislation to cover these internationalcrimes,provisionsmustbe inserted thatensureavictim inclusiveapproachto all proceedings related to the investigation and prosecution ofperpetratorsofinternationalcrimes.
• Inviewoftheabove,witnessprotectionisanecessaryandimportantpartintheinvestigationandprosecutionofinternationalcrimes.TothisendArticle68 (1) of the Rome Statute provides that the Court shall take appropriatemeasurestoprotectthesafety,physicalandpsychologicalwell‐being,dignityandprivacyofvictimsandwitnesses.InlinewiththisprovisionandpursuanttoArticle43(6),oftheRomeStatute,theICCRegistrarhassetupaVictimsandWitnessesUnitwithin theRegistry toprovideprotectivemeasuresandsecurity arrangements, counselling and other appropriate assistance forwitnesses,victimswhoappearbeforetheCourtandotherswhoareatriskon
9
account of the testimony they provide. States parties in line with theirobligationtoincorporatetheprovisionsoftheStatuteintotheirdomesticlawareencouragedtoputinplacesimilarwitnessprotectionmeasures.
• It is important to note that witness protection is a specialised task thatrequiresahighlyskilledworkforce.Inaddition,itisacostlyexercise,andatthesametime,mustbeundertakenwithdueregardtothedefendantsrighttoafairtrial.Thereforewitnessprotectionisonlypossibleinajusticesystemthatfunctionseffectivelyandefficiently,wherethereisaproperinvestigativeprocess in place, judicial protection and speedy trial and awell resourced,autonomous and covert victim/witness unit, set up and managed inaccordance to internationally accepted best practices. ThereforeadministeringwitnessprotectionisagreatchallengeinAfrica.
3.3ThecaseofKenyagivesausefuloverviewof thechallenges thatarise inthe effort of implementingwitness protection in the sub‐region, and on thecontinent
the institution of witness and victims protection measures that were notpresent within the justice system. The absence of witness protectionmechanisms has been cited as a key factor to Kenya’s failure to prosecutethosebehindhigh‐levelcorruption,casesofterrorism(NairobiandMombasabombings) and the alleged perpetrators of the 2007‐2008 post‐electionviolence; as the fear of reprisal has preventedmanywitnesses and victimsfromcomingforward.
with the UNOffice on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) since 2008 to develop acredible witness protection strategy and to establish a robust witnessprotection unit with sufficient human and financial resources. The unit iscurrently a section under the Attorney General’s office. The amendedWitnessProtectionAct (2010),whichmakesprovision foramongothersanindependentwitnessprotectionagency,isanimportantdevelopmentforthewitnessprotectionregimeinKenya.TheaimoftheAgencyistoensurethatitbecomesanindependententity,whichisabletosolicititsownfundingandworkwith variousdevelopmentpartners andagencies. To this end, the ISShasbeenanimportantpartnerandfurthercollaborationeffortsareplannedtowardscapacitybuildingandtrainingoftheagency’sstaff.
• Though a young institution, Kenya’s witness protection agency hasexperiencedseveralsuccesses.However,despiteall theseefforts,somekeychallengesremaintotheprotectionwitnessesinKenya,especiallyinrelationtotheinvestigationofthepostelectionviolence(asituationthatiscurrentlythesubjectofICCproceedings).Theseincludeamongothers:
10
o Lack of strict confidentiality measures and negligent investigatorypractices
o Public doubts about and lack of trust in domestic witness protectionprograms
o MediareportsonICCinvestigationsandwitnessdetailso Lackofenforcementofwitnessconfidentialityregulationso Lackofcollaboration/jointeffortsbetweentheICC,Kenyangovernment
andthelocalmediainprotectingwitnesses• From the Kenyan government’s perspective the effective and efficient
implementationoftheActwasthefirstchallengeastheWitnessProtectionProgram is a highly specialised field that operates in a highly confidentialenvironment.Anotherchallengeidentifiedisthatofgettingtherightmixofskills in the investigation of crimes, high risk armed reaction, personalprotection,forensicsocialworkandcovertoperations.
• TheparliamentofKenyacommittedtosupporttheagencyanddeclaredthatanyone seen to interfere with the operations of the witness protectionagency is liable to a fine. The agency is also keen to continue mediasensitisationinordertoensureresponsiblereporting,andtoensurethatthepubliciswellinformedabouttheWitnessProtectionAct(2010).
o On 31 December 1980, a bomb flattened the Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi,
killing20peoplecelebratingthearrivaloftheNewYear.o In 1998, the twin bombing of theUS Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania
resultedinthedeathofmorethan200people,mostlylocals.o In2003 theParadiseHotel inKilifi, Kenyawasbombed, resulting in the
deathof15people,12localsand3Israelis.o Also in 2003 a surface‐to‐airmissile aimedat an Israeli jetliner carrying
265 passengers from Moi International airport in Mombasa narrowlymisseditstarget.
o Al‐Qaeda’s involvement in Africa has included a number of bombingattacksinNorthAfrica,aswellassupportingpartiesincivilwarsinEritreaandSomalia. From1991 to1996,Osamabin LadenandotherAl‐QaedaleaderswerebasedinSudan.
11
o Andon11June2010therewerebombattacksatrestaurantandarugbypitch inUganda,whichkilledat least74people, gathered towatch theWorldCupfinals.AlShaababclaimedresponsibilityfortheattacks.
region such as Somalia, and major governance challenges in the Sudan,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Kenya,Uganda;kinshiptieswithterroristdiasporasandthelocalpopulationsandineffectivelawenforcementmechanisms;alltheseareamong the factors that make the sub‐region vulnerable to the threat ofterrorism.
• Traditionally, responses to terrorism have been purely military in nature.However considering the factors identified above, at its core, terrorism ismorea lawenforcementandgovernanceproblemthan it isamilitaryone.Therefore there is a need for a criminal justice approach to combatingterrorism.
• The international criminal justice approach to countering terrorism
emphasises the need for law and justice, and processes that recognise therights of both the victims and those accused of perpetrating terrorist acts.Therearethreemainlevelstotheinternationalcriminaljusticeapproach:theinternational, regionalandstate levels.However, thestate is centralas themain locusof lawenforcementand theadministrationof justice.Thereforetheforemostresponsibilitytocombatterrorismrestswiththestate.
• Ithasbeensaid:‘Oneman’sterroristisanother’sfreedomfighter’.Howeverinternationalcriminaljusticetreatsterroristsascriminals–notassoldiersorwarriors. This approach separates the commission of these acts from thepolitics that often accompany them. Thus terrorism is not treated as apoliticalmatterorpoliticalcrimeasstatesarenottheperpetratorsoftheseacts, but as a crime that requires individual accountability – since theindividualsthatcommittheseactsposeathreattothesecurityofthestateanditsinhabitants.
• As such, inorder tohold individuals criminally liable for the commissionofterrorist acts, states must ensure that they accede to the variousinternational counter‐terrorism instruments and enact legislation to giveeffecttotheseinternationalinstrumentsandtocriminaliseactsofterrorismat thedomestic level. Tanzania’s Preventionof TerrorismActof 2002 is anexample of domestic criminalisation of terrorist acts. Notwithstanding itsflaws it is a positive step to ensuring accountability for the commission ofterrorism at the domestic level as it gives the criminal justice system thepowerandauthoritytopresideoversuchcases.
12
4.2Counter‐terrorismandrespectfordueprocess
• States shouldnotuse the label terrorism todelegitimiseoppositionpartiesandtheirconstituents,asthisonceagainrevertstotheviewthatterrorismisapoliticalact.
• Statesmust adhere to human rights norms in the implementation of theircounter‐terrorismstrategiesandpolicies,andmoreespeciallyinthewaylawenforcement agencies, intelligence in particular, go about collectinginformationandevidence.The judiciaryhas the responsibility todeterminewhetherthe informationorevidencederivedfromtortureor inotherwaysthat are inconsistent with international human rights law is admissible.Thereforetheindependenceofthejudiciaryandprosecutingauthoritymustbe respected and protected. Intelligence cooperation, which is key toinvestigations into terrorist activities,must not be permitted to go outsidetheboundariesofinternationalhumanrightsnorms.
• Theaccusedareentitledtodefensecounsels, in linewiththerighttoafairtrial.Thereforethereisaneedtorespecttheroleofdefenselawyers.
• Since international criminal justice criminalises acts of terror and removes
be accomplices, those lawyerswhodefendalleged terrorists shouldnotbevilifiedandassociatedwiththecommissionofterroristacts.
4.3Statecooperationincounter‐terrorism
• Terrorism as a transnational crime necessarily requires there to be somemeasure of cooperation between states in the investigation, arrest,surrenderandprosecutionofterrorismsuspects.Howeverthishasproventobedifficultduetothelackofextraditionandothercooperationagreementsbetweenstates.
• The greatest challenge to the development of a coordinated internationalresponsetoterrorismisthelackofconsensusonthedefinitionofterrorism.EvensotheUNGeneralAssemblyon8September2006adoptedtheGlobalCounter‐Terrorism Strategy,which has four pillars: 1)Measures to addressconditionsconducivetothespreadofterrorism,2)Measurestopreventandcombat terrorism, 3) Measures to build States’ capacity to prevent andcombatterrorismandtostrengthentheroleoftheUnitedNationssystemin
13
this regard,and4)Measurestoensurerespect forhumanrights forallandtheruleoflawasthefundamentalbasisofthefightagainstterrorism.
• At thecontinental level, theAUhasadoptedanumberof instrumentsasaresponse to terrorism, including, OAU Convention on the Prevention andCombating of Terrorism, the Protocol to the OAU Convention, AU Plan ofAction, AU Draft Anti‐Terrorism Model Law and various AU decisions anddeclarationsagainstterrorism.
• The sub‐regional (East African region) response to terrorism includes the
Intergovernmental Authourity in Development (IGAD) implementation planaswellastheEastAfricanCommunity(EAC)PeaceandSecurityStrategy.
Piracy, money laundering and organised environmental crime are otherinternational crimes, which have a direct bearing on the Eastern Africanregion.
5.1Piracy
• Piracy is inmanyways an expression of a formof organised crime and, assuch, is not a new phenomenon. It has been a cause of deep concern forseveralcenturies,indeedmillennia;theonlychangebeingthelocationoftheacts and the increasingly easier access by pirates to the benefits of newtechnologies.Inrecentyears,theincidentsofpiracyhaveincreasedalongtheeastcoastsofAfrica,withembattledSomaliaasakeypointofoperationforpirates operating in the region. The rise in the prevalence of looting,kidnappingandhostagetakingalongtheeasternAfricanregion’sshoreshasled to an increasing perception of insecurity leading to a rise in insurancecostsandthereforeariseinmaritimeproductpricesandservicesacrosstheboard.
• Apartfromeconomiclosses,piracy,ifleftunchecked,isanexpressionofthebreakdown of law and order. Such a state of affairs, in itself, encouragespiratestocontinueoperating,asitbecomescommonknowledgethatneitherthey,northeproceedsoftheircrimes,arereadilycapableofbeingsubjecttolawenforcementmeasuresbymostStates,giventhedifficultiesofdetection,interdiction,andprosecution.
tradeoffloraandfaunaproductsbyanorganisedgroupofpeople/syndicateswho operate in networks in different geographical locations, by its verynature can be said to be an international crime. It is sophisticated and
14
transnational in nature as it is operated by criminal networks from thesource/originofthefaunaandflora,throughtransitroutestothedestinationofdelivery.
• TheeasternAfricanregionisvulnerabletoorganisedenvironmentalcrimeasitisasourceofsoughtaftercommoditiesincludingivory,rhinohorn,timberandsandalwood.It isalsoapotentialtransitpointduetoitslongcoastlinesandporousborders.Thehighprofitmarginsalsomakeitalucrativeactivity–e.g.akilogramof ivoryboughtatUS$50 in the region is soldatmore thanUS$1000inAsiaandakiloofsandalwoodboughtatUS$2.5issoldatmorethanUS$1500inAsia.
5.3Moneylaundering
• Allinternationalcrimeshaveafinancialelementattachedtothem.Sinceanyprofits made or money spent in the course of these criminal activities –rangingfromterroristfinancingandpiracytootherseriousorganisedcrimesincluding organised environmental crime document fraud, corruption, drugtrafficking,possessionanduseof firearms– is ‘illegitimate’, theneedarisestolegitimiseitandthisprocessiscalledmoneylaundering.
• Money laundering occurs when criminals who profit from their criminalenterprisesseek tobring theproceedsof theircrimeswithin the legitimatefinancial sector whilst disguising its true origins in order to escapeprosecution for the crimes they have committed and to avoid theconfiscation of their profits. Money laundering is therefore a crosscuttinginternationalcrime.
Session6:Internationalcooperation
Duetotheirtransnationalandcomplexnature,internationalcrimesrequireagreatlevelofinternationalcooperationandarobustlegalregimeinordertohold perpetrators of these acts to account whilst upholding internationalhumanrightsstandards.
• Extradition is another measure, which has to do with the arrest andsurrender of an accused to another state’s jurisdiction, which requestshis/herreturn,eithertobeprosecutedorsentencedifinfacttheaccusedhasalreadybeenconvicted.
15
• International cooperation also incorporates the seizure and forfeiture ofterrorists’(orperpetratorsofotherinternationalcrimes)assetsandpropertyetc. belonging to terrorists and perpetrators of other international crimesincluding organised crime, serious crime or crimes related to terrorist actsetc.–thisincludesrestraints,briefingorders,confiscationoftheproceedsofcrime,instrumentalitiesorterroristproperty.
• The transfer of convicted or serving prisoners is another measure of
internationalcooperation.
6.2Challengestointernationalcooperation
• States often face the following challenges in their attempt to implementinternationalcooperationmeasures:
o There is no single international convention that deals specifically with
mutual legal assistance; hence a piecemeal approach is adopted.International cooperation isonly alluded to in various international andUN conventions (including the sixteen existing counter‐terrorisminstruments).
o Astate seeking to conductan investigationor the returnofanaccusedfroma statewithwhich ithasnoextraditionormutual legalassistanceagreement may seek to rely on the international counter‐terrorisminstruments.However,thiscanonlyworkifboththerequestingstateandtherequestedstatearepartytosametreatyorconvention.Inadditionanindividualcannotbesurrenderedifhe/sheiswantedforcrimesthatarenotcoveredbytherelevantinternationaltreatyorconvention.
o The capacity – human and financial resources – of the requested statecould also pose a challenge to the requesting state as itmayhinder orcompromiseinvestigation.
o There isalsothe issueofcompeting jurisdictionsasterrorismandotherinternationalcrimestranscendnationalbordersandmayinvolvemultiplestates,dependingon:wheretheaccusedcomesfrom,thecitizenshipofthevictimsandwherethecrimewasinfactcommitted.
There are sub‐regional instruments including the SADC Protocols, IGADConventions, ECOWAS working in western Africa, and the North Africanstates,whichhavetheirowninitiatives.ThustheAUmayconsideradoptingaconventiononregionalcooperation,suchthatwhenstatesonthecontinentarestruckbytransnationalcrimes,therecanbeagreaterscopewhereintheymay request for assistance and cooperation in the investigation. A morecoherentapproachcouldresultingreatersuccessintheprosecutionofthesecrimes.
• Due to the fact that national frameworks for law enforcement and judicialproceedingsdiffer,itisadvisableforthejudiciaryandotherlawenforcement
16
agentstoformnetworksacrossstatesandregionsinordertosurmountthechallenges that may arise due to differing admissibility procedures andstandards. Such networks allow for a coherent and consistent approach,regionallyandinternationally,whendealingwiththeseissues.
• All these measures are to be applied within the framework of theinternationalcriminaljusticeapproach(consideredinearlierdeliberations).
• States must remain committed to observing international human rights
KEYRECOMMENDATIONSKey Recommendations from the Regional Counter‐Terrorism and internationalcriminal justice trainingworkshop, 31 August – 2 September 2010. Golden TulipHotel,DaresSalaam,TanzaniaFollowingthethree‐dayregionaltrainingworkshopforjudicialandlawenforcementofficialsfromMauritius,Rwanda,Seychelles,SouthernSudan,Tanzania,Uganda,thefollowingrecommendationsemergedfromdeliberations:
1. Cooperationwithin the region and sharing of information/experiences andtechnical skills to deal with counter‐terrorism and international crimes –including piracy, environmental crimes and money laundering should beenhanced. Regional/continental frameworks such as the AU and RegionalEconomicCommunitiesaswellasvariousorganisationsandassociations,canbe used to facilitate coordination among judicial and law enforcementofficials.
2. Cooperation on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters should beenhanced through the use of existing mechanisms, including bi‐lateralregionalandinternationalinstruments.Wheresuchmechanismsdonotexist,statesareencouraged toestablish thematbilateral andmultilateral levels.Statesarealsoencouragedtoexecuterequestsformutuallegalassistanceinanexpeditedmanner.
3. States in the region that have not done so, are strongly urged to becomepartiestoall regional (AU)and internationalcounter‐terrorism instruments,the Rome Statute and various penal conventions relating to serious andorganised crime, and to enact appropriate domestic legislations to ensuretheireffectiveimplementationatthenationallevel.
4. There is need to promote greater awareness amongst judicial and lawenforcement officials about regional and international human rights law,
17
includingtheAfricanCharteronHumanandPeople’sRightsandtherelevantdecisionsandrecommendationsoftheCommissionandtheAfricanCourtonHuman and People’s Rights,which should also be enforced at the nationallevel.
5. Governmentsareencouragedtostrengthenjudicial independenceandtheircapacitiestoadjudicatecasesthatdealwithcrimessuchasterrorism,piracy,money launderingandother international crimes. In this regard, Statesareencouraged to ensure that judicial officers, prosecutors, and lawenforcementagenciesarewellequippedwithhumanandfinancialresources(including technical equipment), skills and knowledge to deal with casesrelatingtotheabovementionedcrimes..Regulartrainingofofficialswillassistin building sustained capacity of the judiciary. The needwas expressed forannualregionalcapacitybuildingeventssimilartothisworkshop.
6. JudgesandMagistrates involved in criminalproceedingsareencouraged toconsideranduphold the rightsofvictims.Theyshouldalsoensure that therightsoftheaccusedareprotectedandrespected.
7. Witness Protection laws should be enactedwhere they do not exist. Courtprocess, procedures and practices should be strengthened to ensure thesafety andwell beingofwitnesses, their families andotherswhomightbeaffected.
8. In order to deny organised syndicates the benefits of their crimes, statesshould consider adopting legislation for both conviction‐based and non‐convictionbasedconfiscationregimestoprovideaneffectivedeterrent.
CONCLUSIONIt emerged from the discussions that the workshop was a timely event. Thedeliberationsstresseditsimportanceasameansofassistinglawyers,judgesandlawenforcementagencies in thedaunting taskofdevelopingdomestic criminal justiceresponses to international crimes suchaspiracy,money laundering, terrorismandothertransnationalorganisedcrimes.The participants contributed to the workshop through their enthusiasticparticipation which culminated in the list of recommendations aimed at policymakers,lawenforcementofficialsandjudicialofficersacrossthecontinentwiththeview of raising awareness about the importance of engaging substantively withinternationalcriminaljusticeandcounter‐terrorismissues,andtheirimplicationsforthecontinentinordertoformulaterobustandrelevantlegalandpracticalresponsestointernationalcrimes.
18
In closing the workshop, Hon. Mathias M. Chikawe, Minister for Justice andConstitutional Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania, reiterated the need forconcerted action, particularly among judges and security officials in dealing withinternational crimes. He also expressed the hope that participants will utilise theskills gained from the three‐day workshop to improve criminal justice in theirrespectivecountries.Theworkshopwasdesignedtobeimmersiveandpractical,aimedatenhancingthespecialisedknowledgeandcapacityofparticipantsandthesharingofgoodpracticebetween officials from the respective countries. This event is part of a series ofworkshopsconductedannuallybyICAP.