Myanmar's presentation paper at the 4th ARF ISM on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime

Transcription

1 r Annex 33

2 Myanmar's presentation paper at the 4th ARF ISM on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (Beijing, April 2006) Exchange of Views on International Terrorism Recent Regional Development on Terrorism The Chairman of the ASEAN Regional Forum had issued a statement on Information Sharing and Intelligence Exchange and Document Integrity and Security in Enhancing Cooperation to Combat Terrorism and Other Transnational Crimes iast year that terrorism and other transnational crimes are posing significant threats to the peace, order and security of our countries and our peoples. Eventually terrorists and criminals are still threatening peace and stability of international community regardless of rich or poor and big or small. Terrorism and Transnational Crime respect no national boundaries and spare no country or individual. Recent tragic bombings in Karachi, New Delhi, Tel Aviv and subsequence explosions in Iraq were also alarming signals to the international community. These incidences had happened even under the watchful eyes and full security precautions. Likewise, Myanmar was suffered series of bomb explosions in public areas in 2005 with 23 dead and 162 wounded. These incidences remind us how difficult journey to achieve security and stability for the region. It is therefore necessary for all the countries to join hand together to combat international terrorism through law enforcement, information sharing and enhanced legal frameworks. In order to carry out these activities effectively, capacity building of respective agencies required more extensively. We also share the view that the success of international campaign against terrorism requires clearly defined action, guided by the principles of the UN Charter and universally recognized norms of international law. Hence, a comprehensive approach should be employed to address both the symptoms and the root causes, such

3 as poverty and inequality in development. In some cases, differences in religious beliefs and intolerances caused loss of human lives and sufferings. Any attempt without reviewing root causes would achieve no comprehensive and long lasting solution. Counter-terrorism: Strategies and Measures Review of Strategies and Implementation of Measures to Combat Regional Terrorism Myanmar condemns all acts of terrorism and reaffirms its commitment to prevent, suppress and counter all forms of terrorist activities. The national policy includes public safety and security, free of terrorism, exchange of information on terrorism, upgrading communication network, enhance capacity and to eliminate terrorism through reconsolidation of national unity. In line with its national policy, Myanmar has strengthened national legislation and enhanced its law enforcement activities. The Law Review Committee was recently established to tackle the terrorist activities including corruption and smuggling on migrants. The committee headed by Ministry of Home Affairs is initiating new legislations in line with international instruments and UN resolutions. At a result, some significant steps had successfully taken to improve Myanmar's domestic legislations. In accordance with the UN Resolution 1373 (2001), Myanmar had regularly sent reports to the UN Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) in 2001, 2002, 2004 and New laws on Counter Terrorism, Anti-Corruption, Anti-Smuggling of Emigrants and Anti- Trafficking of Person were also drafting. The Anti-Trafficking of Person Law was recently enacted on 13 September 2005, In strengthening international and regional law enforcement cooperation, Myanmar actively participated in INTERPOL and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chiefs of National Police Organization (ASEANPOL). Out of thirteen anti-terrorism International Conventions, Myanmar had signed eleven conventions already. Myanmar also signed the UN Convention Against Corruption in 2005 and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Anti-Piracy and Armed Robbery in Asia (ReCAAP) which was initiated by Singapore.

4 In order to combat regional terrorism, ASEAN countries together with Myanmar are cooperating in the field of law enforcement, capacity building and information sharing. The latest one being the mutual assistance in crime matters treaty signed by ASEAN countries. We thank Malaysia for its initiative for the treaty. It is also happy to note that Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia had already finished their notification processes. To launch effective counter-terrorism measures, Myanmar government recognizes the requirement of effective laws and regulations and is making many efforts to strengthen existing laws as well as to promulgate new legislation in line with international instruments and UN conventions. In this regard, a Law Review Committee on Counter- Transnational Crime was established recently in Myanmar. Capacity Building Emergency Response Plan (System) The responsible organizations to undertake counter-terrorism measures in Myanmar are Special Forces from Ministry of Defense and Myanmar Police Force from Ministry of Home Affairs. In order to tackle the emergency issues, an Integrated Intelligence Network was established among the related departments such as the Armed Forces(Tatmadaw), Immigration and National Registration, Bureau of Special Investigation(BSI), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Branch (SB) of Myanmar Police Force and Customs Department. The intelligence information supplied by these departments are collected and analyzed for taking appropriate measures. Primarily, Myanmar Police Force is responsible for both domestic and transnational organized crimes. It is however attached importance of grass-root level participation and therefore setting up community police out-posts at every township of the country. Since these out-posts keep in touch with community grass-root levels, their feedbacks are greatly valuable in dealing with both domestic and transnational crimes.

5 According to experiences, Myanmar is taking into account the following measures to enhance the vigilance against terrorist attacks and transnational crimes. They are:- To expose illegal arms, To check suspicious activities of migrants, To bust gambling dens, To take actions under Police Act, Restriction and Security Act, Emergency Provisions and Narcotic Laws and,» To establish check points in cross border gates. Effective border control is considered most essential to prevent the terrorist activities and other transnational crimes. Information Sharing At the 3rd ARF ISM on CT-TC held in Bangkok in April 2005, the meeting agreed on the importance of further enhanced international cooperation in responding to terrorism and transnational crime and recognized the importance of systematic information sharing and exchange of intelligence as a fundamental basis for cooperation to combat terrorism and transnational crimes. In light of this, Myanmar is working closely with the ARF participating countries to share best practices on this particular issue. In order to coordinate the information and intelligence sharing at domestic, regional and international level, Myanmar Police Force has laid down the strategy to be followed by its forces. They are;- Collection of information from relevant agencies, Establishment of information structure and, Capacity building of its own forces. Collection of information in Myanmar starts from a piece of news or an incident of terrorist act. The reporting mechanism, begins from grass-root level and goes

6 up to Myanmar Police Force for analyzing, planning, evaluation and taking necessary actions. All relevant government agencies of Myanmar also report to Myanmar Police Force. Necessary actions include raid, interdiction, suppression, arrest and prosecution. At the regional level, Myanmar is a member of ASEANPOL which is an ASEAN body dealing with terrorism and transnational crime. Myanmar is therefore having links with other ASEAN police agencies by ASEAN E-database system. Myanmar Police Force, a part from regional counterparts, has direct contact with foreign embassies, Australian Federal Police Liaison Office and ASEAN Secretariat in information sharing. Internationally, Myanmar is also sharing information with UN agencies responsible for anti-terrorism activities. As a member of INTERPOL, Myanmar Police Force has broaden its accessibility to the INTERPOL I 24/7 communication system and databases as a formal exchange and sharing of information among member countries. To achieve effective information sharing and exchange of intelligence, it is also required to strengthen capacity of respective agencies both in material and technology. There is a big gap between developed and developing countries. Myanmar is fully aware of the shortcomings and trying to train its personnel by available resources. In this respect, we welcome enhanced cooperation in capacity building through material assistances, training and, where feasible, technology transfer, in order to reduce the gap among the participating countries. Everyone knows that in the case of emergency only the well trained, highly skillful and well-equipped person could be relied on. Some terrorists are more sophisticated and resourceful than we have expected. To achieve success in combating the terrorists and criminals, the cooperative activities of all the participating countries are extensively required.