Recent statements by Amnesty International and by the UN Commissioner on Human Rights have raised concerns that the one-sided pursuit of security is in danger of being carried out at the expense of fundamental human rights and the international rule of law.

The Inter-American Convention on Terrorism adopted at the OAS General Assembly tends to reflect the dominant perspective on fighting terrorism. Its first three substantive articles are aimed at limiting money-laundering and the financing of terrorist groups. Others cover cooperation on border controls and among law enforcement authorities, mutual legal assistance, the transfer of persons in custody, the inapplicability of political offence exception, the denial of refugee status and the denial of asylum to alleged terrorists

But the exchanges among Foreign Ministers and the final Assembly Declaration on terrorism had a noticeably different emphasis. The tone was set by Prime Minister Arthur of Barbados in his opening address.

He asserted that a meaningful definition of security cannot be limited to traditional military operations, but must adopt an integrated approach that addresses the conditions creating social instability such as HIV/AIDS, illegal arms and drug trafficking, trans-national crime, ecological disasters and the poverty that afflicts some 170 million people in the hemisphere.

The multi-dimensional approach was the official theme of the 32nd General Assembly. Its basis was set out in a submission by the Barbados delegation which suggested that there is "an inextricable link between economic disenfranchisement, poverty, conflict, apathy and (the) disillusionment of our citizens" that when combined produce "the root causes of terrorism". This argument elicited a dissenting comment from the United States delegation.

The Barbados paper elaborated on the contributory factors to terrorism referred to by its Prime Minister. It called for the refinement of existing mechanisms that deal with these problems, as well as for new and innovative solutions.

This approach was supported by several other delegations. Several speakers pointed out that protectionist measures in the steel and agricultural sectors by the hemisphere's largest economy will have the effect of increasing economic insecurity in other countries in the region.

The Declaration of Bridgetown adopted by the meeting officially endorses the multi-dimensional approach. It agrees that the security of the hemisphere encompasses political, economic, social, health, and environmental factors and that multidimensional security should be a topic on the agenda of the Special OAS Conference on Security set for Mexico in 2003, when the issues will be revisited in greater depth.

Held in one of the hemisphere's smallest countries, the OAS meeting provided convincing evidence that small can not only be beautiful, but can also provide leadership and be extraordinarily efficient in organizing international events.

Delegates heaped praise on the host country for its hospitality, the meticulously made arrangements and the skill of the Conference Chairman, Barbados's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ms. Billie Miller.

Like Costa Rica, which successfully hosted the 31st General Assembly in 2001, Barbados did the Greater Caribbean proud.

Professor Norman Girvan is Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States. The views expressed are not necessarily the official views of the ACS. Feedback can be sent to mail@acs-aec.org.

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June 7, 2002