On 3 June 2002, in Bridgetown (Barbados), the OAS General Assembly adopts the Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism — the hemispheric response to the 11 September 2001 attacks.

The text commits states to ratify UN counter-terrorism instruments, follow FATF guidance on terrorist financing, deny safe haven to suspects and limit the political-offense exception to extradition.

It expands cooperation: border-information exchange, national contact points, mutual legal assistance and training. Depositary: OAS General Secretariat; languages: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish.

Entry into force: 6 July 2003 after six ratifications. Oversight rests with the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE).

For the Americas, 3 June 2002 marks the legal consolidation of post-9/11 counter-terror cooperation.

The official text appears in OAS treaties.

The Inter-American Convention of 3 June 2002 remains the OAS regional framework against terrorism.

Image: Bridgetown; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism. Treaty text: Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism (OAS A-66).