The Counter-Terrorism Challenges Faced by Abu Dhabi - Essay Example

of affiliation: Introduction Internal security is an important department of any government known to play crucial role with regard to security policies. United Arab Emirates, particularly Abu Dhabi, is in constant fear of the many security threats and challenges that affect both the individuals and the physical in fractures. This problem is largely caused by radicalism, terrorism and prejudice and affects both the urban and rural areas. Additionally, societal crimes and criminal corruption have been established as other causes of the present security problem. Generally speaking, these threats work against the state growth and the success of individuals. The counter terrorism Challenges faced by Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi has constantly suffered the effects of terrorism that have significantly impacted the social, economic and infrastructural settings across the nation. Over the past short period, the Abu Dhabi government has earned bad reputation, thanks to the continuous terror threats. This problem has made the nation to be classified with other nations facing security issues including, Iraq and Afghanistan. Such is the case that nations presently considered most unsafe keep hitting the media headlines on the negative side. It is for this reason that the law enforcement agencies within the Abu Dhabi government are forced to reconsider a new approach to the security issues. In this case, the government will be needed to implement a all-inclusive policy that will help handle the issue ensuring an environment that supports the socio-economic activities within the country, help restore peace and boost prosperity. As it is today, security issues, both internal and external present a serious issue for countries across the globe, a case that is not much different with Abu Dhabi case. Social-political challenges are greatly heightened by the Crime-corruption. Ethnicity and sectarian division that are witnessed in many other parts of the world are also pronounced in Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates has in the recent past become associated with frequent uprising and rebellions, Abu Dhabi being one of the nations within the league it is no exception. Terrorism is the leading threat to the Abu Dhabi internal security. The issue is made even worse by the fact that it consist of a strong network in which the said terrorists collaborate with the drug cartels and criminal organizations to benefit economically. Following these the security department has worked out strategies to help strengthen the policies on foreign security and thus combat acts of terrorism. The interns working with this department help in the entire process by carrying out responsibilities that include drafting columns incident, memos, summaries and reports based on guidelines outlined by Abu Dhabi police agency. Here, the report includes the many experiences acquired while carrying on with the internship. Security department is generally multifaceted and diversified section of the law enforcement agency that works by bringing together the law enforcement officers from various security apparatus to function as unit in maintaining peace and order. Security department typically handle a wide range of issues that range from assessing the nations progress in tackling terrorism problem to creating new policy to counter security threats both internally and externally. UAE, Abu Dhabi in particular, maintains a basic legal structure to help deal with terrorism, however, the framework depicts a need for other critical adjustment. A good example is the AML policy that requires amendments to stretch the range of predictable offences and also to make powerful the intelligence unit. Additionally, the intelligence unit requires more personnel to operate as independent units instead of banking on regulatory agencies. UAE government is in the process of creating its counterterrorism unit to help fight the vice both internally and internally through collaboration with other nations. In the recent past the UAE government made a step to strengthen its cross-border security, a factor that significantly transformed its efforts to keep check the financing of terrorists. In one such steps, the UAE entered a contractual agreement with the US government that sought to ensure pre-clearance of equipment for tourists travelling by air directly to US from the Abu Dhabi International airport. Top officers in the UAE government and religious leaders help fight security threats by educating the general public on security threats and advising them against violent extremist beliefs. While fighting terrorism, the UAE police agencies continue to employ the Federal Law No. 1 of 2004 that explains the various terrorism-related crimes and their respective punishments. The Abu Dhabi security department and the Dubai security department work collaborate to counter terrorism. In this case, specialized police enforcement agencies are in place and perform the primary function of carrying out advanced investigations and respond to crisis with broader security ability. The concerned police agencies have been equipped with advanced equipments and proper training to help them always stay on top of present security issues. In addition to the security concerns, UAE takes part in Mega-ports and other notable security initiatives. Abu Dhabi security agencies averagely review 250 or more bill of lading weekly, resulting in about 25 non-intrusive checkups monthly. In 2012, the police Agencies initiated the use of biometric scanning equipments (retina scanning) at the international airport entry points. Despite the efforts made by the UAE government to help boost security, the nations still faces a critical challenge due to shortage of security personnel working with the law enforcement agencies, the wider security and the judiciary. The UAE government has made this sector reservation for the Emirati Citizens who make about 11 percent of whole population, a structure that makes it hard to generate enough human resource to help combat the growing terrorist activities. Trainings offered by Abu Dhabi government to the law enforcement agencies include post-blast examination and evidence- response training, fashioned to equip UAE with the capability to further train instructors that later train the Abu Dhabi police departments. In the spirit of countering the activities of organizations financing terror attacks, the UAE offers substantive support to all emirate security agencies, particularly, the Abu Dhabi counterterrorism department; however it still faces many challenges both locally and internationally. According to one evaluation report of 2008, the proposal made was made to revise the federal law on terrorism and increase support to all the police agencies across the nation. The revised law is at its final stages and will soon be enacted. In similar manner, the Central Bank in Abu Dhabi works alongside the counterterrorism unit within UAE and internationally to combat activities of the terrorist organization suspected to finance the terror activities. The roles played by the Central Bank with regard to fighting terrorism include exposing illicit actors who transit money to finance terror activities. Having a population of close to 90% expatriates, huge sums of money keep flowing out of the country. As a way of strengthen the efforts of countering terrorist financing, Abu Dhabi law enforcement agencies work closely with the US security agencies in training its personnel’s on cross-border money laundering. Additionally, the Abu Dhabi government collaborates with local both the financial agencies and alike bilateral governments. In 2012, the US law enforcement agencies, in particular FBI, created an operative centre in Dubai to offer a feasible means of improving partnership between US security agencies and the UAE in handling the counterterrorist financing. As it is today, the security loopholes existing in UAE with regard to transmitting and receiving finances have made it possible for the terrorists to thrive. May be the other impediment is the political and operational factors that frequently prevent the UAE government from seizing or freezing terrorist accounts. Refining Counterterrorism Policies It is a well accepted concept across all persons involved in security issues in UAE that the country faces serious challenges when it comes to countering terrorism. Countering this security threats requires that the Government provide sophisticated equipments like surveillance cameras and also offer proper training. The unfortunate thing is that majority of the security personnel have limited knowledge on security matters. To make it even worse, the Abu Dhabi police, unlike other related agencies, lack proper legislative enactments that would work to ensure effective inclusion of security measures. In the article ‘State of Cohesion’ Lianne Hartley (2008), articulates the changes a country is bound to face when trying to implement crime prevention and curb terrorism measures to create a developed society. Other to researches by McGreavy (2008) and Williams (2010), talk about the difficulties experienced by governments when entrenching security measures in a nation-built environment. In Abu Dhabi, the security issue has taken a new turn to help better the society. In the last few years, security agency has taken over the role of developing the community and its regulatory body, a factor that has been made possible through raising security alertness. More specifically, in couples of the past years the security team has worked hard to develop a new safety and security planning manual (SSPM). This manual addresses the security challenges witnessed in Abu Dhabi and its environs. In curbing this issue, UAE continues to develop the security policies, operational procedures and legislative systems intended to curb terrorism acts. While taking part in the Fourth Review of the United Nations, Mohammed Ali Al Shamsi commented in on the international Counter-Terrorism Strategy saying “terrorism is the greatest threat to global peace and security.” In his reviews illustrating the efforts made by the UAE in maintaining the global fight against terrorism, Al Shamsi notes the the UAE government is on the track of creating its policies on security to help curb all forms of terrorism. He continues by pointing out the need of implementing the Law No 1 of 2004 while combating terrorism offenses. This law serves well in pushing for the Security Council resolution on curbing terrorism and related global issues. The review emphasizes the need by the UAE government to take a number of measures to ensure proper handling of terrorist groupings. Al Shamsi equally emphasizes the need of changing the UAE policies on supporting Political efforts that seek to solve political conflicts. This should include spreading a culture of peace in addition to creating oneness among the different religions and civilizations. Additionally, UAE is encouraged to plan and carry out international conferences where issues of terrorism is discussed and issues on combating its menace is determined. The primary goal of the SSPM is to ensure the community safety and related protective security policies are flawlessly embedded in the urban structure of the Emirate. This manual however has been faulted for a possible cause of conflict with the security personnel roles. Additionally, various researchers note that security threats results from the bureaucratic measures annihilating societal harmony. Today, the Abu Dhabi security forces are working day and night to restore internal order and hence ensure the region’s peace and prosperity. Over the recent years thousands of soldiers and police officers have been lost while pursuing peace. Additionally, the region has realized major Infrastructural damages and huge economic losses than are simply intolerable. Whole-of-Nation Approach Based on present recommendations, peace restoration in Abu Dhabi should be handled wholesomely. In this regard, Abu Dhabi security personnel’s should consider implementing a security campaign that brings together all security instruments of statecrafts as well as all persons. To successfully implement this, the government should initiate a national dialogue across the country and include all concern interest groups like media and the intellectuals. Border Control Abu Dhabi porous border poses the greatest threat as it increases the possibility of illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and smuggling of arms and stolen vehicles. This has been a trend despite the presence of police on those border points. It is on this point that the immigration officers are required to remain alert and stop taking bribes. Additionally the Abu Dhabi government should consider fencing its borders in particular points and set electronic sensors to help offers to carry out night surveillance. The government should also initiate biometric identification systems in all official immigrations terminals. International Collaboration Like many other nations security agencies, the Abu Dhabi internal security too has connections across the globe. It is on this ground that strong collaboration is recommended to help guard Abu Dhabi from foreign invasion, especially in issues of internal security. Examples of such invasions are Indian incursion in Balochistan and FATA use of consulates in Afghanistan. Media too has an important role to play in this issue. International collaboration works too in cracking down organizations offering financial assistance to overseas terror organizations. To maintain this global partnership UAE has an extradition agreement with various countries including Saudi Arabia, China, and United States. However, there is need to broaden these extradition pacts, particularly with countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, and European Union to include provisions that allow the return of expatriates to their mother countries when found involved in offences. other examples of international partnerships include partnerships in sharing intelligence, border management, the Ministry of Interior security, training exchanges and deal with Interpol. Weapons control is the other major threat in UAE and specifically in Abu Dhabi. Here, it is recommended that the government digitizes all information of people licensed to own fire arms in Abu Dhabi. The UAE government should find ways to reposes back weapons held by individuals and forcefully retake those held illegally. Devolution and Development Establishment of law and order always begins at the local level as suggested by Mc Greevy (2009). Here, there is every need to delegate power in addition to establishing law to guide the local law enforcing agencies. The security forces should ensure the security of business zones to sustain economic growth and ensure continuity of the economic activities. Here, it is recommended that police maintain the sole responsibility of ascertaining the security with assistance of modern technology. Conclusion Security is a crucial issue that requires cooperation of both the state and the society. The Abu Dhabi police agency is primarily responsible for ensuring security. Presently, the Abu Dhabi government is struggling with the bad reputation it has earned following the numerous terror threats it is witnessing. This once promising country has become one of termed unsafe countries being named among other like countries like Iraq. It is on this ground that the concerned law enforcement agencies have stepped up with a new approach to the security matters to manage the situation and support the socio-economic ventures. Additionally these approaches serve well to help restore peace and stimulate prosperity. While doing this, the concerned agencies employ all available instruments of statecrafts. The present security issue in Abu Dhabi requires correction of the existing broken security forces with the foreign collaboration remaining a key concern. UAE is presently working on its counterterrorism capability and at the same time strengthen its international counterterrorism collaboration. In the recent past, the UAE government strengthened its cross-border security measures and equally transformed its efforts to combat financers of terrorists. This has been evidenced by its agreement with the US government, especially with regard to checkups at the airports and border terminals. Read More