00:00The government 2025 counterterrorism strategy identifies five objectives, prevention, protection, preparedness, response, and recovery.
00:10But when measured against the United Nations' four-pillar global counterterrorism framework,
00:16the analysis by Quantum Legal headed by Kristen J. Williams says it identifies what it calls significant gaps.
00:24The UN framework, it says, places emphasis not only on preventing combating terrorism,
00:31but also addressing conditions conducive to terrorism, building national capacity and coordination,
00:37and protecting human rights and the rule of law.
00:40The analysis says Trinidad and Tobago's strategy contains the right broad objectives,
00:45but needs clearer public metrics, timelines, and evidence of delivery.
00:49The analysis reads, quote,
00:52The report is the beginning, not yet a delivery system, end quote.
00:56Among the areas identified for strengthening are the implementation tracker,
01:00a clear repatriation pathway, human rights due diligence, community governance,
01:05oversight of artificial intelligence and data, and parliamentary review.
01:10And repatriation, it says, is emerging as one of the most sensitive issues.
01:16The analysis proposes a five-stage approach, verify identity and nationality,
01:22assess individual risk and evidence, protect children, reintegrate returnees,
01:27and prosecute where evidence exists.
01:30Quantum Legal argues that leaving citizens in unstable camps can deepen the risk,
01:35while bringing them back under a controlled legal framework allows for assessment, monitoring, and accountability.
01:41The analysis reads, quote,
01:44Repatriation is controlled risk management, not softness, end quote.
01:48The U.S. dimension is also highlighted in the analysis.
01:52The brief cites U.S. State Department reporting identifying domestic recruitment
01:56and potential returnees from Syria and Iraq among terrorism concerns.
02:02OSAC has also assessed Port of Spain as a medium terrorism threat location affecting U.S. government interests,
02:09while raising concerns about broader control weaknesses and the possibility of Trinidad and Tobago being used as a transit point.
02:16But the analysis makes an important distinction.
02:19It says OSAC reported no concerns about anti-U.S. sentiment in Trinidad and Tobago.
02:25The central argument is that security cannot be separated from public confidence.
02:29The analysis calls for non-sensitive milestones to be made public, regular briefings, stronger rights oversight,
02:36and greater involvement by families, communities, youth, women, and educators.
02:42It reads, quote,
02:43Security and transparency must move together, end quote.
02:46The brief concludes that Trinidad and Tobago has an opportunity to strengthen its counterterrorism framework
02:52by bringing security rights, child protection, transparency, and international cooperation into one system.
02:58Its recommended next step is public implementation tracker showing milestones, responsible agencies, and non-sensitive progress.
03:07Ravishit Wari, Rupanarayan, TV6 News.
