Bhutan to ratify The BIMSTEC Convention on combating international terrorism, transnational organised crimes and illicit drug trafficking

Bhutan's Home Minister Sherub Gyeltshen recently introduced The BIMSTEC Convention on combating international terrorism, transnational organised crimes and illicit drug trafficking in bhutan's parliament. This sparked a debate among legislators on bhutan's consideration to ratify this convention.

The concern was raised by an eminent member of the National Council, Ugyen Tshering when the convention was introduced by Home Minister.

The Member States of BIMSTEC signed the BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking in 2009. The Convention is awaiting ratification. This convention says that there is an urgent need to enhance cooperation in BIMSTEC region in combating international terrorism, transnational organized crime and illicit drug trafficking.

Introducing the BIMSTEC Convention on Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crimes and Illicit Drug Trafficking, the Hon’ble Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs, Sherub Gyeltshen informed that the Convention was signed by seven member states during the twelfth BIMSTEC Ministerial held on 11th December 2009. It consists of seven member states which include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. All the member parties have ratified the convention except for Bhutan. Nepal ratified the convention in December 2019. Bhutan has also tabled the convention for ratification earlier this year.

How BIMSTEC convention formulate anti terrorism measures :

Article 3 of the convention talks about the Cooperation in Combating Terrorism.

The State Parties have agreed to cooperate in their joint fight against terrorism in all its forms and to this end, shall:

• share and exchange information on the activities of individuals and criminal groups engaged in the planning, promotion or execution of acts of international terrorism, and on their associates including those providing front or cover to such individuals or groups as well as those which may operate from or use the territory of a State Party for this purpose. The State Parties shall also exchange information concerning, where available, the modus operandi of the persons involved as well as other relevant details, in so far as these are necessary for the prevention and suppression of such crimes;
• share and exchange information on any sources of financing of terrorism which may be located in the territory of a State Party or owned and controlled by their nationals;
• coordinate their approaches to combat international terrorism;
• cooperate and share experiences in areas of hijack termination, hostage rescue and negotiations, protection of internationally protected persons, prevention of forgery, prevention and suppression of illicit trade and trafficking in arms, ammunitions, explosives, and other dangerous materials, prevention of counterfeiting of currencies, and forgery as well as fraudulent use of travel and immigration documents;
• facilitate cooperation in preventing access to arms, explosives, and other prohibited substances by terrorists;
• enhance cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the State Parties including through exchange of professional expertise and training of security and law enforcement personnel involved in combating terrorism and in organizing seminars and conferences, etc. in this field;
• cooperate in any other matter as mutually agreed upon between the State Parties.

How BIMSTEC convention deals with organized crime :

Article 4 of the BIMSTEC convention talks about Cooperation in Combating Transnational Organized Crime.

The State Parties have agreed to cooperate in their joint fight against transnational organized crime in all its forms and to this end, shall:

• share and exchange information on the activities of individuals and criminal groups engaged in the planning, promotion or execution of acts of transnational organized crime, and on their associates including those providing front or cover to such individuals or groups as well as those which may operate from or use the territory of a State Party for this purpose. The State Parties shall also exchange information concerning, where available, the modus operandi of the persons involved as well as other relevant details in so far as these are necessary for the prevention and suppression of such crimes;
• share and exchange information on any sources of financing of transnational organized crime which may be located in the territory of a State Party or owned and controlled by their nationals;
• coordinate their approaches to combat transnational organized crime;
• cooperate and share experiences regarding organized criminal groups involved in hijacking, trafficking in arms, ammunitions, explosives, and other dangerous materials, counterfeiting of currencies and forgery as well as fraudulent use of travel and immigration documents;
• facilitate cooperation in preventing access to arms, explosives, and other prohibited substances by organized criminal groups;
• enhance cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the State Parties including through exchange of professional expertise and training of security and law enforcement personnel involved in combating transnational organized crime and in organizing seminars and conferences, etc. in this field;
• cooperate in any other matter as mutually agreed upon between the State Parties.

How BIMSTEC convention deals with drug trafficking :

Article 5 of the BIMSTEC convention talks about Cooperation in Combating Trafficking in Drugs. The State Parties have agreed to cooperate in their joint fight against drug trafficking and to this end, shall:

• share and exchange information on the activities of individuals and criminal groups engaged in the planning, promotion or execution of acts of illicit drug trafficking, and on their associates including those providing front or cover to such individuals or groups as well as those which may operate from or use the territory of a State Party for this purpose. The State Parties shall also exchange information, where available, on the modus operandi of the persons involved as well as other relevant details, in so far as these are necessary for the prevention and suppression of this crime;
• share and exchange information on any sources of financing of illicit drug trafficking which may be located in the territory of a State Party or owned and controlled by their nationals;
• coordinate their approaches to combat illicit drug trafficking;
• enhance cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the State Parties including through exchange of professional expertise and training of security and law enforcement personnel engaged in combating drug trafficking and in organizing seminars and conferences, etc. in this field;
• exchange the results of their criminological research on narcotic drug trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs;
• share and exchange samples of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances of natural or synthetic origin usable for abuse;
• subject to their domestic laws and international obligations, shall facilitate the controlled delivery of illicit narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals in order to render possible arrest of the persons involved;
• cooperate in any other matter as mutually agreed upon between the State Parties.