Commonwealth forms counter extremist unit

The support given by the Prime Minister and other Commonwealth leaders was embodied in the final communique issued by the Commonwealth leaders upon the conclusion of the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta yesterday.

In their release, the leaders indicated, “We discussed peace and security, especially the fight against radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism, which are worldwide threats.

We condemn terrorism and violence by extremist groups, which often target vulnerable groups and individuals. These threats should not be associated with any particular religion, race, nationality or ethnicity.” Agreeing that such threats “ must be countered through strong national, regional and international action and co-operation,” the leaders declared,”We renewed our commitment to implement national strategies to counter threats and to support each other.

We agreed that it is imperative to counter the use of the internet by extremist groups to radicalise and recruit fighters.”

They urged all Commonwealth governments “to implement fully their obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178. Prior to his departure for the CHOGM, Rowley told reporters during a briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair on November 16, that this country is responding to ISIS as “part of an international arrangement.” Indicating then that this country is looking at how to deal with any citizens who are ISIS followers who may return home, the Prime Minister said “It is not just a question of saying that people can’t come back here.” Noting this country is more vulnerable now to the threat of terrorism than it was when the July 27,1990 attempted coup took place, Rowley said, “Those persons who took up arms against the State, did not have social media, and I daresay were not as barbarous as those today who can train unknown persons, anywhere in the world, and put one person to upset a nation.”

He also observed there may be “persons who never leave the country, but who may share these dangerous views, and who may be encouraged to take action against us.”

The Prime Minister stressed that, “ So what we should be focusing upon is our readiness to respond to the threat that we all face.”

Rowley and other Commonwealth leaders also supported measures by the Commonwealth to deal more effectively with corruption. “We agreed to work together to strengthen international, regional and national responses to corruption including through enhanced transparency and collaboration among law enforcement bodies,” the leaders said.

Government has laid the Whistleblower Protection Bill, 2015 and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill 2015 in Parliament on November 13 as part of its legislative efforts to deal with corruption.

Both bills are currently before separate parliamentary joint select committees which have been mandated to report back to Parliament on January 22, 2016.