Date: 26/10/2022
Relevance: GS-3 : Role of External State and Non-state Actors in creating challenges to Internal Security, Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism.
Key Phrases: Terrorism, Human Rights, Interpol, International consensus, Online Radicalization, Cross-border propagation, Permanent communication channel, Real-time information, intelligence, Drug-free India, Illicit narco-trade and narco-smuggling, Money laundering, Maritime regional cooperation, Mutual legal assistance, Narcotics Control Bureau, National database on terrorism, Criminal syndicate.
Context:
- Recently, the 90th general assembly of Interpol was concluded in New Delhi, where the Home Minister of India, addressing the session, called for an international consensus to counter cross-border terrorism.
Key Highlights:
- India has joined Interpol's Child sexual abuse database.
- The Interpol has launched the first-ever metaverse specifically
designed for law enforcement agencies worldwide.
- This allows registered users to tour a virtual facsimile of the Interpol General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France without any geographical or physical boundaries.
- This also allows them to interact with other officers via their avatars, and even take training courses in forensic investigation and other policing capabilities.
Terrorism
- About:
- Terrorism is the systematic use of violence for intimidating populations or governments for political, religious, or ideological goals.
- As per the POTA 2002 (Prevention of Terrorism Act), Terrorist activity is one that intends to threaten the unity, security, or sovereignty of the country or strike terror in the mind of people.
- Types of Terrorism:
- Religious Terrorism:
- It is motivated by religious fundamentalism and considers violence as a divine duty.
- Narco-Terrorism:
- When narcotics cartels influence the government by systematic threats or the use of violence.
- Cyber Terrorism:
- Cyber terrorism is the use of the internet to conduct violent acts that result in, or threaten, the loss of life or significant bodily harm, in order to achieve political or ideological gains through threat or intimidation.
- Ethno National Terrorism:
- It is motivated by the creation of a separate state. For example, LTTE in Sri Lanka.
- State Sponsored Terrorism:
- When any state embraces terrorism as an instrument of its foreign policy. For example, Pakistan against India.
- Religious Terrorism:
Issues in tackling Cross-border Terrorism:
- No common definition:
- There is no common definition for terrorism and terrorists.
- Irrational classification of terrorism:
- Sometimes, terrorism is classified as good or bad terrorism, small or big terrorism.
- Lack of cross–border cooperation:
- In many countries, cross-border terrorism and Interpol nodal agencies are different, so there is no strong and comprehensive coordination among nations.
- Complex Interdependence:
- Incapability of a single country to deal with this global challenge.
- Consideration of cross-border terrorism as a political problem.
Interpol
- The International Criminal Police Organization, commonly known as Interpol, is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control.
- It was established in 1923 and headquartered in Lyon, France.
- CBI is India's nodal agency for Interpol.
Narcotics Control Bureau
- NCB is Indian central law enforcement and intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- It was established in 1986 and headquartered in Delhi.
- It is tasked with combating drug trafficking and the use of illegal substances under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985.
Role of Technology in Terrorism:
- Technologies have added the capacities of terrorist groups, increased
their outreach, and acquired deadlier dimensions. It has helped in the
following ways-
- Coordination:
- It helps to mount multiple attacks at different locations at the same time.
- Security:
- Encryption-like technologies shield user identity and reduce possibilities of detection.
- Mobility:
- Increased air travel, and movement of goods across borders have enabled terrorist mobility.
- Financing:
- By using the darknet and cryptocurrencies, financing terrorism can be easily done.
- Coordination:
Global Efforts:
- UN Global Counter-Terrorism strategy 2006:
- It is a unique global instrument to enhance national, regional, and international efforts to counter-terrorism.
- Through its adoption, all UN Member States agreed for the first time to a common strategic and operational approach to fighting terrorism.
- UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact:
- It is the largest coordination framework across the three pillars of work of the United Nations: peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and humanitarian affairs.
- UNSC Resolution 1373:
- It is a counter-terrorism measure passed following the 11 September terrorist attacks on the United States.
- It calls for states to rectify all the international conventions on terrorism and prevents terrorist financing.
- UNSC Resolution 1540:
- This resolution requires every state to criminalize various forms of non-state actor involvement in weapons of mass destruction and its related activities in its domestic legislation.
- Under this resolution, States should not support any non-state actions.
- Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism:
- It is an Internet industry initiative to share proprietary information and technology for automated content moderation.
Way Forward:
- Common Definition:
- There is a need for a common definition of terrorism and terrorists to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter cross-border terrorism
- Combination of both Technology and Manpower:
- We require a combination of both technology and manpower to tackle the threat at the border region, correct information, and cooperation among the people are required with high training forces and better equipment to end infiltration and terrorism in the region.
- Cross-border Coordination:
- “Cross border cooperation” which is a necessary requirement to defeat cross-border terrorism.
- Permanent Communication Channel:
- Interpol should develop a permanent communication channel between counter-terror agencies where real-time information and intelligence can be shared among countries.
- Exchange of intelligence and information:
- There is a need to establish a platform for the exchange of intelligence and information among countries to counter narco-terrorism.
Conclusion:
- A comprehensive, sustainable and long-term international consensus is the need of the hour to counter the cross-border terrorism and emerging forms of terrorism that are the biggest violators of human rights and threats to international peace and justice.
Source: Business Standard
Mains Question:
Q.What is cross-border terrorism? Suggest the measures that can be taken to counter cross-border terrorism. (200 Words)
