In March 2022, the IIJ and the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) convened a four-day online workshop on ‘Criminal Justice Approaches to the Linkages between Terrorism and Core International Crimes’. The workshop, generously supported by the Government of Switzerland. brought together 30 practitioners from Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda to discuss the GCTF’s Memorandum on Criminal Justice Approaches to the Linkages between Terrorism and Core International Crimes, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Crimes, Human Trafficking, Migrant Smuggling, Slavery and Crimes against Children. Its main objective was to gain a better understanding of how terrorism is inextricably linked to a wide range of other criminal activities, and how counter-terrorism efforts require practitioners to be aware of, and rely upon, all the legal tools at their disposal. This will allow governments to end impunity for terrorist offences, hold terrorists accountable for the full range of crimes they have committed, develop ways to repair harm, restore dignity for victims, as well as to prevent these serious crimes in the future.
During the workshop, practitioners were guided by and asked to comment on a set of pre-recorded video presentations, as well as other training materials. Practitioners then applied the skills they learned to case studies in interactive break-out groups and plenary sessions. Course participants applauded the joint efforts of the ICCT & IIJ to deliver this online programme with the help of interactive and innovative tools, including a learning platform and live discussions. Practitioners expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this informative and innovative capacity-building programme.
For more information on this workshop, please contact Senior Legal Adviser, Buğra Erdem.