New ratification paves way for entry into force of key UN anti-terror treaty

Antigua and Barbuda became the 22nd country to ratify a key United Nations counter-terrorism treaty, paving the way for the accord to become law next month, UN officials said today.

The International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism obligates States Parties either to prosecute or extradite persons accused of funding terrorist activities, and requires banks to enact measures to identify suspicious transactions. Now that it has the requisite 22 ratifications for entry-into-force, the Convention will become law on 10 April.

Hailing this development, a UN spokesman said the terrorist attacks against the United States last year had heightened awareness of the treaty's value.

"This Convention was deemed so important following the events of 11 September that the Security Council adopted a resolution later that month urging all nations to take steps to curtail financing for terrorism," Farhan Haq told the UN News Service. "The Secretary-General at the time also emphasized the importance of ratifying that treaty," he added.