OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe organizes national seminar on criminal justice responses to terrorism
A two-day national seminar on strengthening rule of law-compliant criminal justice responses to terrorism concluded on 9 October 2019 in Dushanbe. The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in close co-operation with the Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threat Department. It brought together more than 30 representatives of law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, the bar association and NGOs that work on preventive measures against terrorism.
The event was based on good practices detailed in the Global Counterterrorism Forum’s Rabat Memorandum. This document offers insights into effective counter-terrorism investigation and prosecution, while emphasising the respect for applicable international law in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Experts in the field of criminal justice showcased the legal parameters and practices developed in Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
“Resolute criminal justice responses to terrorism that are adequate and proportional, as well as fully corresponding to rule of law and human rights requirements can help to effectively tackle this complex phenomenon,” stated Johan Dahl, Acting Head of the Politico-Military Department at the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. He said that monitoring the compliance of criminal justice responses with applicable national and international laws is the primary responsibility of the judiciary branches and prosecution bodies. But, he noted, at the same time civil society and the media must also stay vigilant and have a constructive role in this field.
The participants discussed how to enhance domestic and international co-ordination and co-operation between agencies dealing with counterterrorism issues, effective investigation and prosecution aspects, as well as proper rehabilitation and reintegration of persons convicted on terrorism charges back into society.
The event was organised within the framework of the OSCE Programme Office’s project on the implementation of Tajikistan’s National Strategy on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism (2016–2020).