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Deputy Minister Attend International Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in Bali
Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hamdan bin Haji Abu Bakar, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office at the IMCT in Bali, Indonesia. | PHOTO COURTESY : Prime Minister's Office
August 13th, 2016 | 06:59 AM | 2309 views
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Brunei has reiterated its commitment to continue close cooperation and sharing of intelligence with counterparts on the movement and activities of any known and suspected Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF) entering and transiting through Brunei Darussalam.
Although Brunei Darussalam has not faced any direct terrorist attacks so far, security agencies in the country continue to be wary over a number of elements that can be exploited by terrorists such as easy access to the Internet which can be used as a channel for propaganda and agitation, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hamdan bin Haji Abu Bakar, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, said.
In a speech delivered during the International Meeting on Counter-Terrorism (IMCT) in Bali, Republic of Indonesia on August 10, the deputy minister added that though the risks of terrorism financing are at the minimal level, there are a number of scenarios that can be exploited by terrorists such as transferring money or funds in the name of charities and donations to suspected individuals or organisations in conflict zone countries.
The ministerial meeting with the theme 'Countering Cross-Border Movement of Terrorism' comprised two sessions, namely the `General Discussion on Countering Cross Border Movement of Terrorism' and 'Panel Discussion on Deradicalisation and Foreign Terrorist Fighters'.
During the meeting, the ministers recognised that terrorism has been increasingly a transnational phenomenon which transcends national boundaries.
They emphasised the need to enhance law enforcement and border management cooperation in combating cross-border movement of terrorism in accordance with United Nations (UN) Charter resolutions and in respect of international law.
The ministers underscored that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, race, civilisations or ethnic groups.
However, as in most cases, terrorist groups use those associations as a justification to their cause.
During the first session, the ministers agreed that in stopping the mobilisation of people to conduct terrorist attacks in certain places or migrating to conflict zones to join with terrorist groups, states should strengthen their national measures that include law enforcement, border control, enhancing intelligence gathering information such as creating good collaboration between home, transit, and destination countries to prevent their travel and provide necessary evidence to prosecute them upon their return.
The ministers acknowledged the significant increase in the flow of FTFs to conflict zones and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen international cooperation, particularly in controlling cross-border movement of terrorists through law enforcement and intelligence information as well as data base sharing, effective border control, preventing terrorist networks from utilising cyber technology and access to terrorist financing.
The ministers also reiterated their commitment to continue the finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism that will serve as a legal basis in countering international terrorism.
The IMCT was attended by representatives from 20 countries and three international organisations.
The Brunei delegation attending the meeting included senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office and Internal Security Department.
Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM
by BruDirect.com
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