News
Govt. gazettes al-Qaeda, Taliban associates to impose UNSC sanctions
The Government has issued a gazette containing a list of individuals, entities, groups and undertakings associated with al-Qaeda and Taliban, in pursuant of its obligations under a United Nations Security Council resolution adopted in 1999, and subsequently modified and strengthened through several other resolutions.
The list includes names of over 250 individuals, along with their known country of residence and passport numbers, their aliases, addresses as well as description of their connection with al-Qaeda and Taliban. The individuals listed are citizens of countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Yemen, Somalia, Tunisia, and Kenya. Included in the list is also the name of Dawood Ebrahim who is one of the most wanted men in India, for his connection with the 1993 bombings in Mumbai, and many other terrorist attacks in the country.
Several entities and other groups and undertakings associated with the Taliban too have been listed. The gazette notification has been issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Gothabaya Rajapaksa.
The UN resolutions imposes on Member States of the UN a series of obligations to apply sanctions on persons, groups or entities associated with al-Qaida or Taliban as designated by the Sanctions Committee of the UN. The Sanctions Committee has responsibility in relation to sanctions for al-Qaeda and associated persons and entities.
The Government last year adopted a resolution to enable it to freeze funds and other financial assets or economic resources of individuals and entities associated with al-Qaeda or the Taliban. The list of the Sanction’s Committee of the UN regularly updates the list on the basis of relevant information provided by member states and international and regional organizations.
Under the regulations adopted by Sri Lanka, persons are prohibited from dealing with any funds, other financial assets or economic resources that belong wholly or are jointly owned, held or controlled by a person whose name is on this list. It is also illegal to make funds, other financial assets or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to any persons linked to the two groups.
Withholding information regarding funds and assets of al-Qaeda or Taliban operatives too will be an offence punishable by law, under these regulations. Persons who violate these regulations will be charged in the High Court and, if convicted, will be liable to imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to Rs 1 million rupees or both.
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus