The "ultimate deterrent" to discourage youths from joining terrorist groups would be to let them know if they go overseas to join such groups, they cannot return or will be blocked in other states en-route home, former National Security Minister Gary Griffith has argued.
He spoke yesterday following statements by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi that barring the return of T&T-born foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) would lead to creation of "statelessness" and one would have to ensure they went somewhere. On Monday the United States issued a worldwide alert extending up to February 2016, that "the likelihood of terror attacks would continue as Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) members return from Syria and Iraq."
The alert noted extremists have targeted large sporting events, theatres, open markets and aviation services." Citing recent attacks in Europe and Africa, the advisory also noted the threat of "lone wolf" attacks by unaffiliated people inspired by terror groups.
On proposals to secure T&T, Griffith, noting that Australia and Canada have instituted regulations to foil returning FTFs, said: "If any T&T youths want to join terrorist groups, they must be prepared to stay (in Syria). You must be prepared to deal with the consequences. It's not a simple situation."
He added: "If you decide to join ISIS, obviously you should factor in what would happen if you wanted out and your future, such as it may be. If we give them a second chance and the right to freedom of movement, it will open the doors and encourage other youths to go also and become terrorists.
"But if they are aware they cannot return, it may be the ultimate deterrent since it will clearly signal if they go, it will be a one-way ticket and there's no return. That must make some think twice.
"If no deterrents are in place they will always feel they can rely on returning. Government will ultimately have to make a decision and choose between the needs of the few people who join ISIS and the needs and safety of the majority of T&T who Government is obligated to protect."
Griffith said Government had another option which would remove the responsibility for any blocking action from its hands.He said the United Nations' resolution against terrorism allowed T&T to forward information on people suspected of having terrorist links to international allies to verify.
"If information is confirmed, their intelligence agencies would keep track of whether such culprits were passing through those countries en-route to T&T and could be halted. Griffith noted there was no direct flight from Syria to T&T.
Former National Operations Centre head Garvin Heerah noted T&T's Anti-Terrorism Act pertained to acts of terrorism outside of T&T, people who incited/promoted commission of a terrorist act, those who have committed such acts and people who engage in recruiting others to commit such acts.He said over 140 countries have enacted/revised counter-terrorism laws but according to Human Rights Watch's accounting, some revisions violated or undermined fundamental liberties.