1 / 22

The changing role of the prosecutor in Counter Terrorism since September 11

The changing role of the prosecutor in Counter Terrorism since September 11. Elizabeth Howe OBE General Counsel of the International Association of Prosecutors Chief Crown Prosecutor, England and Wales. UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan(2003).

gmerle
Download Presentation

The changing role of the prosecutor in Counter Terrorism since September 11

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The changing role of the prosecutor in Counter Terrorism since September 11 Elizabeth Howe OBE General Counsel of the International Association of Prosecutors Chief Crown Prosecutor, England and Wales

  2. UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan(2003) ‘Our response to terrorism as well as our efforts to thwart it and prevent it, should uphold the human rights that terrorists aim to destroy. Respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law are essential tools in the effort to combat terrorism-not privileges to be sacrificed at a time of tension’

  3. Terrorism • No universal definition-’the unofficial or unauthorised use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims’ (OED) • changing nature of terrorism from domestic to transnational threat • Prevalent pre 2001-eg Northern Ireland (UK)

  4. Global Response to 9/11 • UN Security Council Resolution 1373(28/9/2001) –all states to afford one another ‘the greatest measure of assistance’ in connection with criminal investigations or criminal proceedings relating to the financing or support of terrorist acts, including assistance in obtaining evidence in their possession necessary for the proceedings.

  5. Global responses contd. • Counter-Terrorism Committee • 2005 - CTED (Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate) • 2006 -UN General Assembly adopted UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS) • Resolution 1267 October 1998-sanctions regime. Dec 2009 –Office of Ombudsman for delisting

  6. Ombudsman-Kim Prost

  7. Global responses contd. • Resolution 1456 – 2003 ‘states must ensure that any measure taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law and should adopt such measures in accordance with international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law’

  8. Universal legal regime against Terrorism • From 1963 - 18 international legal instruments for specific acts of terrorism- ’extradite or prosecute’ • Hijacking • Aviation sabotage • Violence at airports • Acts against safety maritime navigation • Acts against safety fixed platforms at sea • Acts against internationally protected persons • Unlawful taking and possession of nuclear material • Hostage taking • Terrorist bombings • Funding of terrorists • Nuclear terrorism

  9. Regional developments • Europe-European Union (EU), Council of Europe (C o E), Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Eurojust • Africa • Central Asia • MENA (Middle East aand North Africa) • South East Asia • Western Hemisphere

  10. Challenges • Criminal Justice response-v-military/security response • Intelligence cooperation-safeguards/oversight • Proliferation of practices undermining human rights and rule of law; • Prolonged detention without charge • Ill treatment of detainees • Extraordinary rendition • Abuse of principle of refoulement

  11. UK experience • Anti Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001-7 days detention without charge • 2003 increased to 14 days • 2006 increased to 28 days (following London bombings) • 2012 reduced to 14days (Independent Reviewer of Terrorism) • 2005 -Control Orders • 2012-Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIMs).

  12. Operation Vivace Prosecution of the attempted bombings in London on 21st July 2005

  13. Events on 21st July Three explosions on London underground trains: • Shepherds Bush – 1225hrs • The Oval - 1230hrs • Warren Street – 1240hrs • One explosion on a double decker bus in Hackney – 1330hrs • 5th unexploded device discovered on 23rd July 2005 abandoned on waste ground in Wormwood Scrubs • Devices concealed in rucksacks • Main charge of all devices failed to detonate. • No deaths or serious injuries

  14. Suspects for 4 explosions- extensive manhunt---stills from CCTV published internationally

  15. Remains of one of devices recovered from Shepherds Bush tube

  16. Bomb factory—58 Curtis House- home of Yassin Omar

  17. Arrest of Muktah Said Ibrahim

  18. Model of the device

  19. Findings and sentences • Ibrahim, Mohammed, Omar and Osman found guilty of conspiracy to murder. • Ibrahim, Mohammed, Omar and Osman sentenced to life imprisonment – each to serve a minimum of 40 years

  20. Appeals against sentence • Mohammed and Osman appeal against sentence • Judges dismissed and said: “These were merciless and extreme crimes. As they were rightly meant to be, the sentences were severe and extreme. Beyond doubt, however, they were utterly justified.”

  21. Terrorists brought to justice with due regard for human rights and rule of law

More Related