Terrorism Financing and Counter-Terrorism in Kiribati: A Delicate Balance

Kiribati, a small island nation in the Pacific, has been grappling with the menace of terrorism financing and counter-terrorism measures to combat this threat. In recent years, the country has made significant strides in defining terrorism and implementing laws and penalties for terrorist offenses.

Defining Terrorism

According to Section 3(1) of the 2005 Measures to Combat Terrorism Act, a terrorist act is defined as an act or omission that involves:

• Death
• Serious bodily injury
• Serious damage to property
• Acts intended to intimidate the public or compel a government to do or refrain from doing any act

United Nations Treaties

Kiribati has adhered to all major United Nations treaties on terrorism, including:

• 1973 Convention on Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons
• 1979 Hostage-Taking Convention
• 1997 Terrorist Bombings Convention
• 1999 Terrorist Financing Convention
• 2005 Nuclear Terrorism Convention

Laws and Penalties

The laws and penalties for terrorist offenses are severe:

• Hostage-taking: up to 15 years in prison
• Terrorist bombing: life imprisonment
• Terrorist financing, supplying weapons to a terrorist group, and recruiting members of a terrorist group: maximum sentence

Counter-Terrorism Capacities

Despite these measures, Kiribati’s counter-terrorism capacities are limited:

• No dedicated counter-terrorism unit within the police force
• Lack of resources and expertise poses significant challenges for the government in combating terrorism financing and other forms of terrorism

Conclusion

Kiribati’s efforts to combat terrorism financing and counter-terrorism are ongoing. The government is working to strengthen its laws and penalties while also addressing the capacity gap within its law enforcement agencies. Adherence to global treaties on terrorism is a crucial step forward, but more needs to be done to ensure that Kiribati can effectively address the complex threats posed by terrorism.