The Madrid Agenda

Michael StohlUniversity of California, Santa Barbara

ANU Terrorism Workshop March 31-April 1, 2005

Club de Madrid

International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and SecurityMarch 8-11, 2005200 experts in 16 working groups across four areas

The expert groups met in cyber space from November through March Prepared papers and summary findings and recommendations March 8-9

Program

Plenary: Expert Working Group ConclusionsPublic Panels and Political SpeechesClosing Plenary: Kofi Annan: A Global Strategy for fighting TerrorismThe Announcement of the Madrid Agenda 11 March 2005

Working Group Groupings

Root CausesConfronting TerrorismDemocratic ResponsesCivil Society

Root CausesLouise Richardson, Harvard

1. Psychological-Jerrold Post formerly CIA2. Political-Martha Crenshaw, Wesleyan3. Economic-Ted Robert Gurr, Maryland4. Religious- Mark Juergensmeyer, UCSB5. Cultural- Jessica Stern, Harvard

Root Causes implicationsFirst, terrorism is a complex phenomenon and requires a multifaceted response. Second, in responding to terrorism, democracies must never abandon the democratic principles they are designed to uphold. And Third, governments must ensure that their short counter terrorist actions do not undermine their long term goal of undermining the terrorism threat.

Summary of Root Causes Working Groups

Remarkable congruence across the groupsRegrettably, all agreed that there were no overarching explanationsAll agree that terrorism must be understood in the unique cultural, historical, political contextAll agree that democracies must confront and counter terrorism within the rule of law with no curtailment of civil liberties

Root Causes RecommendationsConfronting terrorists

Inhibit joiningProvoke dissensionEncourage moderatesFind accommodative opportunitiesPromote backlashReduce support within the populationFacilitate exit

Countering TerrorismRaymond Kendall, formerly Interpol

6. Police- Jurgen Storbeck, formerly Europol7. Intelligence- Brian Jenkins, Rand8. Military-Lawrence Freedman, Kings College9. Finance-Loretta Napoleoni10. Legal- Hans Corell, formerly United Nations

Police

Rule of law Cooperation across domestic and international jurisdictions, timely sharing of intelligenceParticularly important to build cooperation across the democratic nations

Intelligence

Develop better mechanisms for sharing intelligenceRule of lawDemocracies must ensure adequate controls

Military

Terrorism should always be confronted within the legal institutional systems firstMilitary option should be a last resort

Financial

A special center should be established under chapter 7 authority within the United Nations

Legal

Calling for a war against terrorism plays into the hands of the perpetratorsLegal instruments should be employed

Democratic ResponsesPhilip Bobbitt, Texas

11. Human Rights- Asma Jahangir, Pakistan12. Promoting Democracy and Accountable Government, Ghia Nodia, Georgia13. International Institutions

Democratic Responses: Conclusions

Democratic qualityLocal OwnershipHarness security cooperation to the democratic agendaEncourage freedom of informationEliminate impunityPromote civil societyPromote Transparency

Civil Society, Mary Kaldor LSE and Miguel Darcy, Civicus

14. Citizens as Actors, Abdullayeva Arzu, Helsinki Citizen’s Assembly15. Civil Society and political Violence Kayode Fayemi, Centre for Democracy and Development, London 16. Civil Society Strategies, Mient Jan Faber, Secretary General of the Interchurch Peace Council

Civil Society: Recommendations

Recognize the role of soft powerStrengthening civil society against extremists and violent ideologies, as well as mobilising citizens in favour of democracy, are an essential part of the long-term response to terrorism

Civil Society Groups Findingsalthough terrorism is a global phenomenon, root causes are usually found at the local level; terrorism is born both in conflict zones and under authoritarian regimes, proving that both non state terrorism and a terrorism that is paramilitary exist. third finding is that democratic order, although it is necessary to establish stability, cannot be implemented with force. Madrid is an example of an appropriate answer to terrorism, and an example that should be followed.

Kofi AnnanA Comprehensive Strategy

first, to dissuade disaffected groups from choosing terrorism as a tactic to achieve their goals; second, to deny terrorists the means to carry out their attacks; third, to deter states from supporting terrorists; fourth, to develop state capacity to prevent terrorism; and fifth, to defend human rights in the struggle against terrorism

The Madrid Agenda

The Madrid Principles The Madrid Recommendations

A Comprehensive ResponseInternational Cooperation Citizens and Democracy

The Madrid PrinciplesTerrorism is a crime against all humanity. It endangers the lives of innocent people. It creates a climate of hate and fear, it fuels global divisions along ethnic and religious lines. Terrorism constitutes one of the most serious violations of peace, international law and the values of human dignity. Terrorism is an attack on democracy and human rights. No cause justifies the targeting of civilians and non-combatants through intimidation and deadly acts of violence.

The Madrid Recommendationsthe adoption of the definition proposed by the United Nations High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change in December 2004.

the ratification and implementation of all terrorism-related conventions by those states which have not yet done so.

the speedy conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

the exploration of the possibility of creating high commissioners for victims both at the international and the national level

International Cooperationthe establishment of regular, informal forums for law enforcement and intelligence officials, which may grow from bilateral consultations into a formalised structure for multilateral co-operation.

the strengthening of regional organisations, so that measures to combat terrorism are tailored to local needs and benefit from local knowledge and networks.

the effective co-ordination of these mechanisms at the global level.

International Cooperationthe establishment of an international mechanism – including states, non-governmental organisations and the private sector – to help link states that are in need of resources with those that can provide assistance.

the creation of a trust fund for the purpose of assisting governments that lack the financial resources to implement their obligations, as proposed by the United Nations High-Level Panel.

The Future

The Club of Madrid will continue to lobby for the Madrid AgendaPlan to convene another meeting to commemorate 9-11 in New York in 2006

For further information

http://english.safe-democracy.org/index.html

Root Causes - Psychological

No overarching explanation Explanations at the level of individual psychology are insufficient. The concepts of abnormality or psychopathology are not usefulImportant to distinguish leaders from followersTerrorist life cycle is important

Root Causes - Political

Terrorism is rooted in political discontent

Root Causes discussions

Economic

Root Causes discussions

Religious

Root Causes discussions

No single religion or religious tradition may be seen as a root cause of terrorism, but it is important to recognize the role of religion in providing identity, dignity and meaning and thus its potential in providing recruitment opportunitiesRecognition of the importance of prisons as breeding grounds