Developing an International Prosecutors’ Network for Pursuing Terrorism Cases

The CTED would like to closely examine the questions of whether and how a sustainable global counter terrorism prosecutors’ network could be developed. It would like to learn from the experience gained by other practitioners’ networks. Moreover, it is interested in learning what model would suit most the political, institutional and legal framework within which counter terrorism prosecutors operate and cooperate.

The key questions CTED would like SIPA to research are the following:

First and foremost, is there a need for a Global Counter Terrorism Prosecutors Network? If so:

1. What would be the political challenges that the establishment of such network entail?
2. Should the UN and in particular the UN Security Council be the leading force behind its promotion? If not which international or regional entity or which state is most suited to lead such initiative?
3. What should be the basis for joining this network? (i.e, treaty, MOU, political arrangement, informal agreement, open membership or individual membership)
4. Should it be institutionalized somehow and if so how?
5. What services could the network provide to its members and how?
6. How could it best fulfill its mission to enhance the capacity of member states to bring terrorists to justice and allow them to better cooperate with each other?
7. How could the network best promote respect for human rights and due process in the prosecution of terrorism?
8. What would be the major challenges (political, practical and institutional) you expect when considering the establishment of such network?

Press Release:

SIPA News (http://new.sipa.columbia.edu/news-center/article/capstone-13-terrorism-prosecutors-network)