Countries have reviewed and, where needed, tightened up their laws against international terrorism – an important aspect of the campaign

The Americas

USA

• President Bush called immediately for a world-wide campaign against terrorism.
• He synchronised the application of diplomatic, military, economic, intelligence , and law-enforcement power on a global scale, forming an unprecedented network of nations working to defeat terrorism.
• All nations of the world except one (Afghanistan under the Taliban) condemned the attack and responded positively to the President Bush’s call:
• NATO invoked Article V of the NATO Charter, first time in its history.
• 16 NATO members have contributed troops and military equipment.
• 197 countries and jurisdictions expressed support for the campaign and its objectives.
• 89 countries have granted over-flight authority (28 have granted blanket authority), 76 have granted landing rights, 23 have granted bed-down and basing authority.
• 23 countries have agreed to host U.S. forces involved in offensive operations
• 136 countries have offered some kind of military assistance.
• 142 countries have issued orders freezing the assets of suspected terrorists and terrorist organisations; 190 countries have expressed willingness to do so.
• NATO and ANZUS allies quickly invoked their treaty obligations to support the United States.
• The United States has received 46 multilateral declarations of support. The U.N. General Assembly and Security Council condemned the attacks on September 12.
• NATO allies are assisting directly in the defence of American territory.

Canada

• The Government of Canada has introduced key pieces of legislation. The Anti-Terrorism Act, introduced on October 15, includes measures designed to: identify, prosecute, convict and punish terrorists; provide new investigative tools to law enforcement and national security agencies; and ensure that Canadian values of respect and fairness are preserved through stronger laws against hate crimes and propaganda.
• Canada has ratified 10 of the 12 counter-terrorism conventions of the United Nations. The new Anti-Terrorism Act will allow Canada to ratify the remaining two.
• The Public Safety Act, introduced on November 22, will amend some 18 federal laws to further strengthened the Government’s ability to protect Canadians, prevent terrorist attacks and respond swiftly if a significant threat should arise.
• In addition, amendments to the Aeronautics Act will maximise the effectiveness of the aviation security system and ensure that Canada continues to have one of the safest aviation systems in the world.

Colombia

• Since September 11 it has taken action against suspected financiers of terrorism.
• It now has further proposals for new anti-terrorism bill now in Congress.

UK

• Even before September 11 the UK had a wide range of legislative measures in place to counteract terrorist activity.
• The centrepiece of this legislative framework was the United Kingdom Terrorism Act 2000. Other relevant legislation included the Immigration Act 1971, the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, the Extradition Act 1989 and the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994.
• Following the events of September 11 it was decided to enhance the UK’s existing Anti-Terrorism legislation. This resulted in the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001which received royal assent on 14 December 2001.

The Netherlands

• Within the country an overall action plan has been put in place and agreements have been reached between the countries on:
• the strengthening of legislation to combat terrorism;
• strengthening of co-operation between the police- and the justice departments of the countries;
• the creation of an adequate infrastructure for the information position of the national security departments; and,
• the strengthening of control mechanisms for the financial sector

Germany

• Chancellor Gerhard Schröder announced on October 11 a second anti-terrorism package that is intended to give security and criminal investigation agencies more efficient means of obtaining information for the purpose of fighting terrorism and crime.
• Germany is continuing its investigation related to the September 11 attacks and has adopted two comprehensive anti-terror legislative packages to strengthen security, disrupt terrorist funding sources, and to improve the tools available to authorities to combat terrorism.
• More than 500 officers of the Federal Criminal Police Force are assigned to a special commission investigating the September 11 attacks.
• Germany hosted the Bonn conference that established the Interim Authority in Afghanistan.
• The German cabinet adopted two comprehensive anti-terrorism packages in September and December 2001, including approximately $1.3 billion (more than 1.5 billion EUR) in funding.
• The measures include provisions for increased air-traffic security and tightening of the act governing private associations to increase authorities and options for acting against extremist associations.
• A change in the criminal code allows the prosecution in Germany of terrorist activities in foreign countries.
• More authority has been granted to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the Military Counter-intelligence Service, the Federal Intelligence Service, the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Border Police, specifically in the gathering and evaluation of information.

France

• In December, President Chirac called upon world leaders to use their financial, legal and intelligence tools to fight international terrorism.

Russia

• Russia has signed the twelve UN Conventions against Terrorism. It hopes to join the Indian project to draw up a general convention against terrorism

Finland

• Finland offered all possible assistance to the US in the aftermath of the September the 11th attacks.
• Finland has agreed with and enforced all the measures taken by the EU to combat terrorism.
• Finland is in the process of ratifying the two UN conventions on terrorism which it has not yet done.

Croatia

• President Mesic has spoken of the role of small countries in the fight against terrorism. In a speech on this role he set out 16 specific proposals including intelligence sharing, suspect extradition and humanitarian assistance.

Greece

• Foreign Minister Papandreou offered to strengthen the Coalition through Greece’s relations in the Mid-East and has travelled extensively to the region.

Japan

• On 27 September 2001, both Houses of the Japanese Parliament (the Diet) passed a resolution calling on the Government to co-operate fully with the coalition.
• The Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Act and two related Acts were passed by the Diet on 29 October 2001.

Singapore

• Usama bin Laden and his network have been outlawed in Singapore.
• The Parliament rushed through new legislation prior to the elections , which gave the Minister for Law the power to implement the provisions of UNSCR 1373.

Indonesia

• Indonesia has stated its commitment to work towards domestic legislation in place to criminalise the provision or collection of funds for terrorism and to freeze terrorist funds or assets.

• The Indonesian government has also taken steps to enhance aviation security.
• The Government of Indonesia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding. on Combating International Terrorism (MOUCIT).
• MOUCIT covers intelligence exchange, law enforcement co-operation, training, exchanges visits and capacity building.

Malaysia

• Prime Minister Mahathir said that his government would hunt down all militants and extremists until they are no longer a threat to national security.

The Middle East

Saudi Arabia

• The authorities have pledged their full co-operation to fight against terrorism, through strong statements by Crown Prince Abdallah, Prince Saud Al Faisal, Prince Naef and of religious leaders. The Grand Mufti of the Kingdom and the chairman of the Supreme Court both publicly condemned the 11 September attacks.
• Saudi Arabia has also been the victim of many a terrorist attack, such as the attack against the Great Mosque of Mecca (1979), the bombings Riyadh (1195) and in Al Khobar (1996)
• The government has frozen assets belonging to suspected terrorists. They have announced a review of the fund raising activities of some organisation and the review of money laundering activities.

Jordan

• It has itself suffered from terrorist attacks and has lost several public figures in this connection, including two Prime Ministers.
• The collection of funds to organisations is controlled by law, and can only be collected after a clear statement of their purpose The government has been consistent with its strong determination in the fight against all kinds of terrorism.

Kuwait

• Kuwait has given its full support for operation Enduring Freedom

All around the world counties are uniting by tightening up their legal framework and working together to eradicate international terrorism. There is still work to do, but Coalition countries are committed to the fight.

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