The Mauritian government has taken the decision to introduce in parliament the Prevention of Terrorism (International Obligations) Bill which aims at allowing Mauritius to adhere to international counter-terrorism instruments, APA learned.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, the Prime Minister Dr Navin Chandra Ramgoolam indicated that the bill will allow Mauritius to adhere to counter-terrorism conventions and protocols which are to prevent, punish and condemn all acts, methods and practice of international terrorism.

The conventions and protocols, the PM added, will also bestow specific obligations on state parties, including the obligations to establish as criminal offenses under their domestic law the offenses set forth in the counter-terrorism instruments and put local laws in accordance with international laws on terrorism.

The PM added that after the ratification of the law Mauritius will be obliged to take alleged offenders into custody and prosecute them. It will also have the obligation to extradite any offender to another country when requested.

The bill also covers the import of nuclear material into Mauritius. According to legislation, anybody who imports, steals or causes the death of a person with nuclear material may be jailed for a period of 35 years.

Ramgoolam added that he is aware of the terrorist threats on Indian Ocean countries and in this context, Mauritius together with all member states of the Indian Ocean Commission signed a Convention relating to Regional Security on 17th March 2006.

Nevertheless, there has been some opposition to the introduction of the bill in Parliament. Cassam Uteem, former President of the republic has in a statement to the press on Wednesday indicated that the timing of the introduction of the bill is inappropriate and that there is no urgency to pass the bill.

Source African Press Agency

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