Important Facts For Prelims
China Blocks Proposal to Blacklist Pakistan-Based Terrorist
- 23 Jun 2023
- 3 min read
Why in News?
China's recent move to block a proposal at the United Nations (UN) to designate a Pakistan-based LeT terrorist as a global terrorist has drawn attention and raised concerns among the international community.
- In September 2022, China had put a hold on the proposal to designate the terrorist at the UN.
What is the Concern Raised Regarding China's Decision to Block the Proposal?
- The blocked proposal, brought forward by India and the United States, aimed to blacklist a wanted individual for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council.
- This is not the first time China has blocked efforts to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists under the UN Security Council's sanctions committee.
- China has consistently placed holds on listings that target individuals associated with terrorism in Pakistan including in 2009, 2016, 2017.
- China's actions have raised concerns among countries that seek to combat terrorism globally, as it appears to prioritise its relationship with Pakistan over international security cooperation.
- It also highlights the challenges of achieving consensus within the UN Security Council on sensitive issues related to terrorism.
What is the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee?
- The committee is part of the UN Security Council and its job is to implement international sanctions against terrorists.
- The other two committees with similar roles are the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Security Council Committee.
- The Al Qaeda committee was established as the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee on October 15, 1999, after Security Council Resolution 1267 designated al-Qaeda and the Taliban as terrorist bodies.
- In 2011, a separate committee was formed for the Taliban.
- Under the Committee regime, any UN member state can propose the name of an individual or group to be designated as a terrorist.
- Decisions are made by consensus in the 1267 Sanctions Committee, which comprises all members of the UNSC.
- A committee member can block blacklisting proposals by raising objections or applying a “technical hold” on a proposal.
- An individual or entity listed as a terrorist is subjected to an assets freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. The Security Council of UN consists of 5 permanent members, and the remaining 10 members are elected by the General Assembly for a term of (2009)
(a) 1 year
(b) 2 years
(c) 3 years
(d) 5 years
Ans: (b)
