THE State has designated three Middle Eastern paramilitary and political organisations as terrorist entities, namely Hezbollah, Hamas and the Islamic Revolutionary.
This was done between April 8 and April 9, following applications by the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago. They were gazetted on Monday.
The groups have been listed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Chapter 12:07, pursuant to section 22B(3)(a) of the act. The court further ordered that all property owned or controlled by the entities, whether wholly or jointly, directly or indirectly, be frozen. This includes assets derived or generated from funds or other property connected to the entities.
The order also directs that an office copy be served on the Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago in accordance with the Civil Proceedings Rules 1998. The Attorney General is required to publish the order in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette and in two daily newspapers within seven days, along with a statement that the matter will be reviewed every six months.
The notice states that the matter will be reviewed by the Attorney General every six months in accordance with section 22B(9) of the act.
Former national security minister Gary Griffith yesterday expressed support for the measures aimed at preventing terrorist organisations from using local systems to expand their operations, pointing to international efforts that began over a decade ago.
In an Express interview he pointed out a United Nations resolution addressing the issue was initiated in 2014, with more than 100 countries agreeing to measures to prevent terrorist groups from infiltrating states through subsidiary organisations. He explained that such groups often move funds through affiliated organisations across countries. According to Griffith, these funds are used to train individuals, expand operations, and recruit young people to travel to the Middle East to become foreign terrorist fighters before returning to their home countries.
Griffith, also a former commissioner of police, said the identification of additional organisations linked to such activities is consistent with those earlier efforts and “should be welcomed”. He also raised concern about resistance to such measures, questioning whether there would be sympathy for terrorist organisations.
Referring to past debate on the issue, he said it was “alarming” that a former opposition leader in 2014 (Dr Keith Rowley) expressed concern that supporting action against ISIS could place Trinidad and Tobago at risk. Griffith maintained that ignoring the issue would have consequences, stating that countries that failed to act would create opportunities for extremist groups to establish a presence.
“We cannot afford to deal with global terrorist problems by burying our heads in the sand and pretending it will go away,” he said.
Griffith added that failure to strengthen financial regulations and intelligence coordination could allow funds to enter the country and support the expansion of terrorist networks.
He said collaboration between financial authorities and intelligence agencies is necessary to prevent such activity, warning that without intervention, “it is only a matter of time before we are affected.”
Griffith said actions to address the issue were necessary and should be supported.
