Micronesia

The Definition of Terrorism in Domestic Law

Micronesia proposed in 2005 to define in its Code a terrorism offence as any crime established by an international terrorism convention, any crime recognized under international humanitarian law as a terrorism offence, and any crime established under the law of a foreign state, where the crime, if committed in Micronesia, would constitute a terrorism offence.

"Terrorist act" would, under the 2005 proposal, mean

an act or threat of action in or outside Federated States of Micronesia which constitutes a terrorism offense, or:

(a) (i) involves serious bodily harm to a person;

(ii) involves serious damage to property;

(iii) endangers a person’s life;

(iv) involves the seizing and detaining of a person;

(v) involves the hijacking, seizing or sabotaging of any conveyance, including an aircraft, vessel, ship, vehicle or fixed platform attached to the continental shelf;

(vi) involves the threat to kill, seriously injure or detain another person;

(vii) creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public;

(viii) involves the use of a destructive device;

(ix) involves releasing into the environment or any part thereof or distributing or exposing the public or any part thereof to any dangerous, hazardous, radioactive or harmful substance, any toxic chemical, or any microbial or other biological agent or toxin;

(x) is designed or intended to disrupt any computer or electronic system, or the provision of services directly related to communications infrastructure, banking or financial services, utilities, transportation or other essential infrastructure;

(xi) is designed or intended to disrupt the provision of essential emergency services such as police, civil defense or medical services; or

(xii) endangers the national security, national defense or public safety of any country; and

(b) is intended, or by its nature and context, may reasonably be regarded as being intended to:

(i) intimidate the public or a section of the public;

(ii) compel a government or an international organization to do, or refrain from doing, any act; or

(iii) is made for the purpose of advancing a political, ideological, or religious cause, or seriously destabilizing or destroying the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structures of a country or an international organization.

Adherence to Global and Regional Terrorism Treaties

Micronesia is a State Party to most of the main United Nations treaties on terrorism.

There is no regional treaty to which Micronesia can adhere.

Laws and Penalties for Terrorist Offences

The 2005 Bill stipulated a prison sentence of between ten years and life for the commission of a terrorist offence.

Counterterrorism Capacities and Policies at Domestic Level

Micronesia does not have a counterterrorism unit in its police force.