Law Ministers call for further help to tackle terrorism

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Senator the Hon A.J. Nicholson Q.C. of Jamaica who chaired the meeting.

Law ministers of small Commonwealth jurisdictions convening in London, UK, from 21 to 22 October 2004 called on the Commonwealth Secretariat for further assistance in meeting international obligations to fight terrorism.

Ministers noted that new obligations are being imposed on small jurisdictions -- many of them through United Nations Security Council Resolutions and by intergovernmental bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), established in 1989 by the G-7 Summit in Paris, France.

They said in their communiqué, issued on 22 October 2004, that there is "a need for more effective lobbying to prevent small jurisdictions facing unrealistic demands on already overstretched resources, recognising that a 'one size fits all' approach is not always appropriate."

Law ministers and attorneys-general of 25 small Commonwealth jurisdictions discussed the impact of terrorist activities and threats to security and stability.

While appreciating the assistance already given by the Secretariat, ministers said further support could be provided in implementing the Special Recommendations of FATF. The eight recommendations include criminalising the financing of terrorism and associated money laundering; freezing and confiscating terrorist assets; and reporting suspicious transactions that could be related to terrorism.

Ministers expressed particular concern about additional reporting obligations laid by UN Security Council Resolution 1540, which is intended to halt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to prevent terrorists from acquiring and using them. The resolution calls on states to monitor and control sensitive technologies, materials and equipment that exist in, are manufactured by, or transit their territories.

The meeting also addressed investment and international trade issues, including the challenges ahead for small island developing states (SIDS). Ministers emphasised the need for a co-ordinated relationship between economic development and sustainable development. Their communiqué states: "Sustainable development is not just an environmental issue but goes to the heart of all forms of development and must be considered within the whole planning process including a financial and development framework.

"Ministers agreed that there is a need to consider carefully how the law can be improved and enhanced to support sustainable development and emphasised the importance of having a comprehensive legal structure for this purpose."

Discussions were held on the serious implications of natural disasters and difficulties in recovering from them; the need for better and more effective insurance coverage; and environmental issues related to water and sanitation.

Delegates reaffirmed their support for the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) on the Sustainable Development of SIDS. BPOA was adopted in 1994 at the UN Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of SIDS in Bridgetown, Barbados. It sets out specific measures to be taken at the national, regional and international levels in support of the sustainable development of SIDS.

See Also: Meeting of Law Ministers of Small Commonwealth Jurisdictions - Final Communiqué