Maritime terrorism has emerged as a formidable threat to world peace, and Pacific Island countries are not immune to such a threat, Tonga's Solicitor General 'Aminiasi Kefu told participants at the opening of a two-days workshop on Maritime Security in Nuku'alofa yesterday morning, May 7.

'Aminiasi said the issue of maritime security had been pushed to the forefront of the international stage with the recent piracy incidents off the coast of Somalia and in the Arabian Gulf.

He said that Tonga supported the objective of the workshop.

"I am sure you will agree with me that our region may not be immune from these incidents, and it is only a matter of time where some fishermen may be pushed to a corner by the dire financial and economic times or other factors and decide to carry out daring acts of piracy in our waters."

"We therefore have an obligation to contribute by establishing a common net to protect the region and the international community to keep our Pacific Ocean from being used in that way."

The workshop emphasised the 1988 Convention on the Prevention of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation known as SUA and its 2005 Protocol, which adds new offences including unlawful and intentional use of weapons for the purposes of intimidation of populations or compelling Governments or organisations.

Maritime zones

'Aminiasi said that Tonga had yet to provide legislation for these maritime offences, but recent development in policies had given maritime security a boost as a priority.

"We are processing a new Maritime Zones Bill to consolidate our legislation on defining our maritime zones, continental shelf and the exploration and preservation of those zones.

"We also plan to file our submission with the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf next week, ending years of preparation," he said.

'Aminiasi also highlighted Tonga's Fisheries Management Act which had been successfully enforced in detecting and prosecuting illegal, unlawful and unidentified foreign fishing vessels in Tonga waters.

World threat

Ms Dolgor Solongo of the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime based in Vienna who was running the workshop, said in her opening remarks that maritime terrorism had emerged as a formidable threat in the world.

"This is compounded by the use of maritime vessels and shipping lanes by criminals who are often in league with terrorists. In addition there is a possibility that weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons and materials could be used for terrorist purposes," she said.

"Preventing such possibilities has become a priority for the international community. Where do we stand? What are the mechanisms, specifically international law mechanisms available in our hands - this is the theme of our workshop."

She emphasised that maritime terrorism and maritime security is a global problem. The workshop would discuss international cooperation and integrated policies thus provide a forum for experts to share experiences and broaden knowledge in becoming party to implementing universal legal instruments against terrorism including maritime and nuclear related instruments.

Focus areas

The workshop focus areas will explore the potential of existing legal framework against maritime terrorism especially new instruments in addressing maritime terrorism and other crimes at sea. It will also discuss the needs of the countries in the region in enhancing and upgrading their legal basis to participate effectively in international cooperation.

This includes issues related to the development of domestic legislation to incorporate the new necessary, when necessary, she added.

At the end of the two-days workshop from May 7-8, the participants from Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji, Cook Islands, Nauru, Federated State of Micronesia and Tonga were to produce a set of recommendations to be submitted to the Pacific Maritime Ministers Meeting next week.