A meeting got underway in Barbados on Tuesday on security for the upcoming T20 World Cup to be hosted in the Caribbean and the US next month.
It comes in the backdrop of a warning earlier this month by CARICOM’s agency for crime and security to regional governments of a possible Islamic State (ISIS) threat to the upcoming men’s T20 World Cup which will be played in Guyana, other parts of the Caribbean and the United States.
The CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) in its communication said that the Pro-Islamic State (Daesh) media group “Nashir Pakistan” had called for attacks against the tournament via poster on its Telegram and RocketChat channels which included a Quranic passage warning “people indulging in amusement would ultimately face the day of reckoning”.
The following message in Urdu “this is not a game but rather a blood deal” was also featured.
Member States and partners were encouraged to continue sharing information and intelligence about potential threats and suspicious activities with CARICOM IMPACS in the lead up to and throughout the tournament.
It said that increased vigilance and additional security precautions are critical to mitigating the threat of terrorism and ensuring a safe and secure Caribbean region.
A statement yesterday from IMPACS on the start of the meeting reported Canada’s High Commissioner to Barbados Lilian Chatterjee as stating that while major sporting events can create opportunities for economic growth and intercultural understanding, they can also bring inherent risks.
She was delivering feature remarks at the opening of the Sub-regional Technical Expert Meeting on “Enhancing Security Coordination for Major Sporting Events in the Caribbean,” which is being held from 14-17 May 2024 at the National Council on Substance Abuse in St. Michael, Barbados.
The release said that she explained that large, high visibility events such as the upcoming International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup also mean higher security risks.
Chatterjee, a former High Commissioner to Guyana, stated it was for this reason that the Meeting was a timely one since the region requires “coordinated security efforts to protect against all kinds of threats. Ensuring security for all seven World Cup co-hosting Organisation of American States (OAS) Member States. We require effective cooperation and integrated policies among co-hosting countries.”
The meeting is being hosted by the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism of the Organisation of American States (OAS-CICTE), in collaboration with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and CARICOM IMPACS with funding from the Government of Canada.
The release said that the primary objective of the Technical Expert Meeting is to provide support for the security planning of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which takes place from 1 -29 June 2024, by facilitating the exchange of information and best practices among the Caribbean Member States co-hosting the World Cup.
Chatterjee reiterated that the World Cup presented an opportunity for host countries to review and revise their safety and security policies and to benefit from cooperation networks at the national, regional and international levels.
“We all want to ensure the safety and security of the organisers, players and the fans. This is why Canada is here today to support the combined efforts of the OAS-CICTE, the UNICRI and CARICOM IMPACS to enhance regional preparedness and resilience practices for the protection of crowded spaces and vulnerable targets,” she stated.
Earl Harris, Assistant Director – Corporate Services, CARICOM IMPACS echoed the High Commissioner’s sentiments and warned that amidst the excitement, everyone must remain vigilant against a range of potential threats to the safety and security of the event.
He added: “This could disrupt the event and pose risks to the safety of participants and spectators and damage the region’s reputation. Addressing these issues is not just important, it is essential to safeguarding the tournament’s integrity and preserving lives and livelihoods.”
Harris advocated for a collective effort in ensuring the safety and security of participants and spectators alike at the World Cup, which he said was crucial and of paramount concern in an increasingly interconnected world.
KJ Singh, Head of Operations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Cricket West Indies (CWI) assured that the CWI was committed to strengthening the sport not only through safety and security, but also by anti-corruption and drug-free entertainment.
There was no mention in the press release about the ISIS threat.
In its advisory to regional governments earlier this month, IMPACS advised that stringent security measures must be implemented and maintained in the lead up to and throughout the tournament’s duration to create a safe and enjoyable environment for participants and spectators alike.
It made the following recommedations:
1. Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Training: Member States should be equipped with the skills necessary to safely identify, handle, neutralize and dispose of explosive devices, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), unexploded ordnance (UXO), and hazardous materials.
2. Enhanced Monitoring: Increase monitoring in cricket stadiums, hotels, tourist attractions and critical infrastructure to detect, deter and defeat any suspicious activities or individuals.
3. Show of Force/Security Presence: Member States should augment security where applicable (police, military, border security specialists, private security, and intelligence agencies). Provide a visible deterrent and quick reaction force (QRF) to security incidents and threats.
4. Intelligence and Information Sharing: Stakeholders must continue to actively share information and intelligence in a timely manner with CARICOM IMPACS and partners on nationalities of interest and persons or groups with a proclivity to commit acts of terrorism.
5. Crowd Control Measures: Host nations should monitor and control the flow of people to reduce the possibility of overcrowded areas, which provide soft targets for terrorist attacks.
6. Cargo and Baggage Checks: Stakeholders must conduct strict screening measures at ports, stadiums, hotels, tourist attractions and of critical infrastructure to inhibit the movement of weapons or Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Increases the safety of stakeholders including participants and spectators.
7. Public Awareness Campaigns: Member States must launch public awareness campaigns to educate spectators and the general public about the threats posed by terrorist groups and lone wolves and the importance of urgently reporting any suspicious activities to authorities.
8. Emergency Response Planning: Host nations should develop and rehearse emergency response plans to effectively respond to security incidents, including terrorist attacks, and mitigate their impact on the safety of participants and spectators.
9. Media Monitoring: Continuously monitor the activities and communication channels of terrorist groups, to keep abreast of their tactics, techniques and procedures. Provides updated information and facilitates flexibility to adjust security measures accordingly.
