International Cooperation

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Recruitment of fighters, procurement of weapons and explosives, communications between cells: most terrorism cases involve a cross-border element. The transportation and technology that terrorist groups use is often cheap and widely available, yet, most domestic responses to terrorism stop where State jurisdiction ends: at the border.

A vital component to prevent and counter terrorism is cooperation between countries across borders. For example, sharing real-time information, exchanging evidence and witness statements, or requests for extradition.

To ensure effective and efficient international and regional cooperation in criminal matters related to terrorism, we facilitate cooperation among Member States worldwide. The United Nations is often well placed to act as a neutral broker of such cooperation.

In close consultation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate, we promote international cooperation in criminal matters related to terrorism, and mutual legal assistance in particular. We do so by:

Delivering technical assistance to Member States, upon request, including training of prosecutors, judges and other relevant officials involved in international cooperation
Upgrading existing networks of central authorities to encompass the ones responsible for counter terrorism matters and update the UNODC Directory of Competent National Authorities
Identifying and raising awareness of good practices on international judicial and law enforcement cooperation in counter-terrorism matters
Bring together experts from central authorities and intergovernmental organizations to update model legislative provisions, such as the UNODC Model Law on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and the Model Mutual Legal Assistance Resources
Developing tools, such as the Practical Guide for Requesting Electronic Evidence Across Borders, Data Disclosure Framework (DDF) and Model Request Forms for data preservation and disclosure available at the SHERLOC Electronic Evidence Hub

Networks

We support informal networks of national focal points and efforts to establish national central authorities to facilitate international cooperation. For example, we supported the Regional Judicial Platforms for Sahel and the Indian Ocean Commission Countries and the Multi-Agency Task Force to strengthen international cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa (more information available in Arabic, English and French).

Results

The Multi-Agency Task Force (MATF) supported cooperation among countries in the Middle East and North Africa and helped foil a terrorist plot. Information shared through the Task Force by national authorities led to arrests and the seizure of precursor chemicals intended for use in an improvised explosive device (IED), which was destined for use in a terrorist attack.

United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Mandate

Networks

Results

Donors