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New regulations say links with al-Qaeda, Taliban a punishable crime
View(s):By Chandani Kirinde
External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris, in keeping with Sri Lanka’s obligations to the United Nations, presented to Parliament regulations that will impose sanctions on individuals and entities associated with al-Qaeda or the Taliban.
The regulations presented on Tuesday will give effect to the UN Security Council resolution adopted unanimously in October 1999. This resolution sets out wide-ranging strategies for combating terrorism and particular measures to be imposed against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
The regulations will impose a freeze on funds and other financial assets or economic resources of individuals and entities associated with al-Qaeda or the Taliban.
The Sanctions Committee which was set up after the UNSG resolution has made a “Consolidated List” of persons and entities with links to the two groups. This information will be made available to the Sri Lankan public by the Competent Authority to be appointed under the new regulations.
The list will be published in the Gazette once the regulations get Parliamentary approval and updated, if there are any subsequent amendments to it. The Committee regularly updates the list on the basis of relevant information provided by member states and international and regional organisations, with 16 updates to date this year.
The regulations prohibit persons 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 will also be illegal to make funds, other financial assets or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to any persons who are 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 or both.
The Minister also presented a Bill to amend the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing Act, to make it a punishable offence, to directly or indirectly provide or conspires to provide material support or resources to any terrorist or terrorist organisation.
The Bill will be taken up for debate later this month.
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