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UN panel proposes measures to strengthen sanctions on Taliban, Al-Qaida

UN panel proposes measures to strengthen sanctions on Taliban, Al-Qaida

United Nations Member States are asked to share information more widely, run Interpol fingerprints through their own police databases, and pursue other measures to strengthen strictures on the Taliban and Al-Qaida in a report released today by the Security Council Committee in charge of those sanctions.

Acting on the latest report of their monitoring team, the Committee strongly supported that group’s advice to States to share information on terrorist financing patterns, thoroughly investigate leads from Interpol and exercise vigilance to recognize forged travel documents.

“States are reminded that even the most sophisticated identity and travel documents can be forged in the absence of strict acquisition procedures,” the Committee warned.

According to the sanctions regime, States are required to freeze financial assets controlled by the Taliban, and to ensure that they are not used by the group. Countries are also obliged to freeze funds, property and other financial assets of Usama bin Laden and his associates in the Al-Qaida organization, and to prevent their entry or transit through the State’s territory.

In addition, nations must prevent the supply, sale and transfer of all arms and materiel – along with any form of military training – to the named individuals and entities.

In addition to its recommendations, the Committee reminded States that are victims of Al-Qaida-related attacks that it is possible for them to add suspects to the sanctions list. It also reminded them of their obligations to prosecute any of their nationals who violate the arms embargo.

The sanctions were originally adopted, and later tightened, in response to the indictment of Usama bin Laden for the 1998 terrorist bombings of US embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam.