IBA for global forum to fight terrorism

The International Bar Association (IBA) has called for a global convention for ‘‘improving cooperation in combating terrorism’’. Releasing a report in Washington on Friday of its task force on terrorism, IBA said such a convention will provide technical assistance to poorer nations ‘‘to enable them to identify and suppress terrorist funds’’.

The task force, comprising distinguished jurists from around the world, including Fali S. Nariman from India, said: ‘‘When terrorism is global, it is insufficient to expect isolated measures in our countries to solve the problem.’’ The report also underlined that countries should not use the threat of terrorism to disregard the basics of international law or restrict rights to freedom of expression, religion and opinion.

While analysing ‘‘the largely ad hoc responses’’ of states to terrorism since 9/11, it said adherence to law and established international standards will help facilitate cooperation in areas such as information sharing.