In recent news, China has raised an objection to two proposals presented jointly by India and the U.S. These proposals were meant for the designation of top leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a terrorist organization, on the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) 1267 list. This list contains names of terrorists who are associated with threatening organizations like Al Qaeda and ISIS.
Understanding the UNSC 1267 Committee
The UNSC 1267 Committee was initially established in 1999 and underwent subsequent improvements in 2011 and 2015. It was particularly strengthened after the terror attacks that occurred in September 2001. Today, this committee goes by the name ‘Da’esh and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee.’ The committee is composed of both permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
The 1267 list of terrorists is a global record sealed with a UNSC stamp and comprises mostly individuals from Pakistan. This committee significantly contributes to the ongoing endeavours to combat terrorism, especially concerning Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. The committee often deliberates on UN efforts to restrict the mobility of terrorists. This includes implementing travel bans, freezing assets, and imposing arms embargoes on identified terrorists.
Procedure of Listing on the 1267 List
Any member state of the committee can propose the listing of an individual, group, or entity on the 1267 list. For a proposal to be valid, it should demonstrate acts or activities indicating that the suggested subject has been involved in “the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities” connected with “ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida, or any cell, affiliate, splinter group or derivative thereof.”
Decisions to list or de-list are adopted through consensus. Once a proposal is submitted, it is disseminated to all members. Should no member raise an objection within five working days, the proposal is considered accepted. However, an objection signifies the end of the proposal.
A member of the committee may also place a “technical hold” on a proposal asking for more information from the proposing member state. During this period, other members can also put their holds. The proposal remains on the Committee’s “pending” list until the member placing the hold either converts it into an “objection” or removes the hold within a stipulated timeframe.
Unresolved issues must be sorted within six months, but the member state that has placed the hold can request an additional three months. If an objection is not raised by the end of this period, the matter is considered approved.
This understanding of the workings of the UNSC 1267 Committee gives us a clear picture of why China’s recent move to ‘hold’ India and U.S.’s joint proposals has attracted attention. The impacts of these decisions in the international fight against terrorism are indeed significant.
