The work of the Counterterrorism Unit (CTU) assists OPDAT in achieving its top priority goal of countering terrorism, while also supporting OPDAT efforts to build effective criminal justice sectors that respect the rule of law. The CTU works closely with the State Department’s Office of the Coordinator for Counter Terrorism, through the interagency Terrorist Financing Working Group (TFWG). The CTU has deployed Resident Legal Advisors (RLAs) to Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Pakistan, Paraguay, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
In Bangladesh, OPDAT supports the development of a comprehensive counterterrorism regime, with attendant strengthening of counterterrorism laws, practical implementation of anti-money laundering legislation, and improved law enforcement capacity to investigate and prosecute complex cases, including those involving terrorist organizations. OPDAT also promotes prosecutorial skills development, supports increased anti-corruption efforts, and has implemented extensive training programs for prosecutors and investigators designed to bolster capacity to combat trafficking in persons. OPDAT efforts contributed to Bangladesh’s signing of all twelve of the UN counterterrorism instruments, including the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Financing.
Indonesia: see Asia and Pacific Programs
In Kenya, OPDAT has focused on increasing the capacity and expertise of the Kenyan prosecution service through a series of skills development programs on investigating and prosecuting complex crimes. The OPDAT RLA program in Kenya assists in critical criminal justice sector development with a programmatic focus on counter terrorist financing, anti-corruption and procedural reform.
OPDAT, through its RLA program in the United Arab Emirates, provides technical assistance and skills development to prosecutors, judges, and other members of criminal justice systems in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, particularly in the areas of money laundering and terrorist financing. These programs are designed to enhance capacity and promote sustainability of justice sector institutions in these areas.
In Pakistan, OPDAT supports efforts to implement money laundering, asset forfeiture, and terrorist financing legislation that is consistent with international standards, and to promote law enforcement capacity to pursue such cases. OPDAT also supports efforts designed to foster fundamental criminal justice reforms, including an expanded role of the judiciary.
Paraguay: see Latin America and the Caribbean Programs
Philippines: OPDAT, in collaboration with the DOJ’s Office of International Affairs’(OIA) Judicial Attache, provides ongoing counterterrorism assistance to the Government of the Philippines (GoP).
South/Southeast Asia Regional: In May 2007, OPDAT’s Counterterrorism Unit conducted a regional program on money laundering and terrorist financing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The program covered the use and abuse of charities and use of new technology in financing terrorism, the investigation and prosecution of such crimes, and the seizing, maintenance, and forfeiture of assets. Representatives from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, and East Timor participated in this week-long program.
In Turkey, OPDAT has worked closely with State Department, the US Embassy, the Turkish Government, and the international community throughout Europe on methods to combat acts of violence supported or committed by the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) and other terrorist organizations. In addition, OPDAT has been assisting Turkey to implement anti-terrorist legislation, as well as to enhance its capability to effectively investigate and prosecute criminal cases involving the freezing/seizing of assets, financial fraud, and public corruption.
Weapons of Mass Destruction: As part of the United States Government's Dangerous Materials Initiative (DMI), OPDAT is working closely with the FBI, Center for Disease Control, and State Department to strengthen efforts to stop the spread of deadly bio-hazardous materials. This Bio-Crimes project involves round table exchanges and table top exercises to determine how best to detect, investigate, and prosecute bio-crime activities involving the diversion, weaponization, or other prohibited use of bio-hazards. The first round table workshop took place in Thailand in April 2007; the second took place in Singapore in October 2007.
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