The panel at Workshop G, including the discussion leaders, the Modera- tor, rapporteur and CPA Secretariat representative.
their principles, even in the short term, this will bring the ultimate demise of democracy. So Parliamentarians should not allow themselves to fear terrorism but instead should discipline themselves to ensure the principles of democracy and peace prevail. Terrorism cannot be allowed to destroy the principles of democracy.
Terrorism’s online outreach Hon. Irene Ng, MP, of Singapore stated that terrorists have become very creative by way of their outreach through the internet. The 50-per-cent increase in terrorist websites in the last decade means more people can be seduced and recruited via communication online. Terrorists have broadened their
efforts in an attempt to reach the international community, for example, the South-East Asia Region has become a hotspot for terrorist activity.
Terrorists groups have changed their strategy and modified their modus operandi in response to continuous changing technology and security upgrades.
Terrorists’ elements have been
improving and expanding their outreach to persons at large by using new methods such as conducting sophisticated media campaigns increasingly through the internet. Previously, websites supportive of Al Qaeda were mainly in the Arabic language; but in recent years more English-language sites with English- speaking radical preachers are emerging in cyberspace. Such online activity has
heightened the threat of radicalization and produced self-radicalized persons who act outside of terrorist organizations. These developments pose unique security challenges and, as communities worldwide
become increasingly connected via the internet, terrorist threats are likely to rise. All over the world, terrorists are
constantly trying to subvert state institutions, disrupt the democratic process, and foster hatred, anger and violence in our societies.
Trends and forms Hon. Maj. Jim K. Muhwezi, MP, of Uganda outlined the many forms terrorism threats and attacks can take, including conventional terrorism, which involves political and religious extremism, as well as cyber terrorism and the use of weapons of mass destruction such as chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Trends in terrorism appear to
be loosely organized, self-financed international networks of terrorists including radical Islamic groups or groups operating under the pretext
of religion. There is growing political participation of extremist Islamic parties in many nations and also the growth of cross-national links among different terrorist organizations. This trend may involve combinations of military training, funding, technology transfer or political advice. He attributed the causes of
terrorism to factors including: poverty and impoverishment, political and economic corruption, social exclusion, racial hatred, injustice and slow economic, social and political development.
Causes of Terrorism Hon. Lt. (Rtd) Amodoi Cyrus Imalingat, MP, of Uganda sited issues of unemployment, unscrupulous government policies, gender discrimination and world disarmament commencement as some causes of terrorism.