CARICOM chief: Reach out to young men before ISIS.

 Law enforcement on Trinidad after Muslims shot their way out of prison.

A report in the Guardian on Trinidad and Tobago featured the following article, by Gail Alexander on Wednesday, June 14, 2017.

Caricom states must urgently develop new strategies to win back the hearts and minds of young men now being recruited by the Islamic State (Isis), says Caricom Security Agency chief Francis Forbes.

“Let’s accept that whether we like it or not, we’re already at war,” Forbes added at yesterday’s closing ceremony of a two-day Counter-Terrorism Strategy Conference.

Forbes is executive director of Caricom’s Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), which hosted the event.

Discussions by regional stakeholders and international experts strategised on tackling areas - from arms, financing and returning fighters, to preventing radicalisation - to build a collaborative regional framework to deal with terrorism.

At next month’s annual summit, Caricom leaders are expected to finalise clampdown plans on terrorism via proposed legislation, provisions concerning returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFS) and recovery of their assets.

Impacs and the US are tracking 200 people from the Caribbean and South America who joined ISIS and agencies are monitoring several returning FTFS, Forbes says.

“Terrorism represents a clear and present danger to Caribbean people and industries including tourism. But we’ve agreed to be resolute in our collective stand. We cannot be oblivious to the fact there may be persons among us who may be terrorist-minded or terrorist sympathisers,” he said.

“Let’s send a collective message: Caricom has no room for terrorists.”

Forbes urged Caricom to urgently “do all possible to minimise and reduce the seemingly ready pool of ISIS volunteers among us.”

“Trained experienced FTFs represent a significant threat to the region for perhaps years to come. Our resolve must be to share information willingly and have mechanisms in place,” Forbes said.

“Our way of life in the region is a huge challenge to target hardening: we like to enjoy ourselves in large gatherings with loud music. Unfortunately, the environment is changing and we’re learning to ‘break a wine’ with one eye in front and one behind - we need to be prepared.

“Terrorists only have to succeed once to make a point. We have to succeed every single time in prevention - our chances of success lie in the ability to co-operate, collaborate and network.”