Mauritius

The Definition of Terrorism in Domestic Law

The 2002 Prevention of Terrorism Act defines an "act of terrorism" as an act which:

(a)    may seriously damage a country or an international organisation; and

(b)    is intended or can reasonably be regarded as having been intended to—

  (i)    seriously intimidate a population;

  (ii)    unduly compel a Government or an international organisation to perform or abstain from performing any act;

  (iii)    seriously destabilise or destroy the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structures of a country or an international organisation; or

  (iv)    otherwise influence such Government, or international organisation; and

(c)    involves or causes, as the case may be—

  (i)    attacks on a person’s life which may cause death;

  (ii)    attacks on the physical integrity of a person;

  (iii)    kidnapping of a person;

  (iv)    extensive destruction to a Government or public facility, a transport system, an infrastructure facility, including an information system, a fixed platform located on the continental shelf, a public place or private property, likely to endanger human life or result in major economic loss;

  (v)    the seizure of an aircraft, a ship or other means of public or goods transport;

  (vi)    the manufacture, possession, acquisition, transport, supply or use of weapons, explosives or of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, as well as research into, and development of, biological and chemical weapons;

  (vii)    the release of dangerous substance, or causing of fires, explosions or floods, the effect of which is to endanger human life;

  (viii)    interference with or disruption of the supply of water, power or any other fundamental natural resource, the effect of which is to endanger life.S. 3, 2002 Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Adherence to Global and Regional Terrorism Treaties

Mauritius is a State Party to all of the main United Nations treaties on terrorism.

Mauritius is also a State Party to one of the two African Union treaties on terrorism.

Laws and Penalties for Terrorist Offences

The ordinary penalty for terrorist offences under the 2002 Act is between a minimum of five years and a maximum of thirty-five years imprisonment.S. 32(1)(a), 2002 Prevention of Terrorism Act. 

Counterterrorism Capacities and Policies at Domestic Level

A Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) was created within the Prime Minister's Office pursuasnt to Section 18 of the 2002 Prevention of Terrorism Act. 

Mauritius also has a dedicated counterterrorism unit in its national police, the Mauritius Police Force. The unit, which is called the Groupe d’Intervention de la Police Mauricienne, is modelled on the French gendarmerie.