China Blocks Proposal to Blacklist Pakistan-Based Terrorist | 23 Jun 2023

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.

Source: TH