UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL DESIGNATES MASOOD AZHAR AS A GLOBAL TERRORIST

In an unprecedented move, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has recently designated Masood Azhar, the Chief of Jaish-i-Mohammed (JEM), an extremist group based in Pakistan, as a global terrorist on 01.05.2019. UNSC is an important Organ of the United Nations that is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It comprises of 15 members including 5 permanent members, i.e.  China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

UNSC designated Masood Azhar as a global terrorist on the grounds that he has been associated with Al-Qaida through JEM for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of”, “supplying, selling or transferring arms and related material to”, “recruiting for”, “otherwise supporting acts or activities of”, and “other acts or activities indicating association with”Al-Qaida, Osama bin Laden, and the Taliban, which, in turn, are terrorist organizations. Reportedly, he is said to have ordered many other terrorist attacks in India, including terror strike on Parliament House, Pathankot Air Force Base, Pulwama, etc.

Now, as a result, the UNSC would impose the following sanctions and targeted measures on Masood Azhar (Designated Terrorist):

1. Arms embargo

Hereunder, all states would be required to prevent the direct or indirect transfer, sale and supply, from their respective territories or by their nationals outside their respective territories, or use of their flag vessels or aircraft, or use of arms and related material, spare parts, and technical assistance, or training related to military activities, etc to the Designated Terrorist.

2. Assets freeze

Hereunder, all states would be required to freeze the finances, funds and other financial assets, etc of the Designated Terrorist, without delay.

3. Travel ban

Hereunder, all states would be required to prevent the Designated Terrorist from entering into or allowing transit through their respective territories.

A number of countries committed towards zero tolerance against terrorism, including India, have welcomed this move of the UNSC and this move may also compel Pakistan to act against the Designated Terrorist.

Harini Daliparthy

Senior Legal Associate

The Indian Lawyer