China‘s Anti Terrorism Approach At UNSC Sanctions Committee, The Hindu Editorial Analysis

UNSC Sanctions Committee: The UNSC’s 1267 Committee was set up in 1999 after the Taliban and Al-Qaeda were listed as terror outfits by Resolution 1267 of the UNSC.

Table of Contents

China‘s Anti Terrorism Approach At UNSC Sanctions Committee: China’s Technical hold on the process of listing Abdul Rehman Makki through UNSC Sanctions Committee in June 2022 was one of five holds it placed on similar proposals against other wanted LeT/Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists based in Pakistan. China’s lifting of hold on January 2022 At UNSC Sanctions Committee is a rare show of China‘s Anti Terrorism Approach At UNSC Sanctions Committee.

UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee’s Special Meeting in India

Context

In News:
- On January 17, 2023, The U.N. Security Council (UNSC) Sanctions Committee for The ISIL and Al Qaida has placed Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba’s(LeT) fundraiser and key planner Abdul Rehman Makki on its sanctions list.
- This becomes a reality after China’s lifting of the technical hold which it imposed earlier.
Background:
- Earlier, in June 2022, China Imposed “technical hold” when the U.S. and India – then a non-permanent member at the UNSC – tried unsuccessfully to get Mr. Makki on the global terror blacklist.

Pakistan’s Removal From FATF Grey List

On What Basis The UNSC Sanctions Committee Listed Makki?

The UNSC Sanctions Committee on January 16 held Makki responsible for seven terror attacks including the December 22, 2000 Red Fort attack, the January 1, 2008 Rampur attack, and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
The Committee also linked Mr. Makki to the August 7, 2018 attack in Gurez that killed four Indian Army soldiers.
The UNSC Sanctions Committee further said that Mr. Makki was the head of political affairs for the LeT and has served in the LeT’s foreign relations department and the Shura or governing body.
The UNSC Sanctions Committee also said that Makki is also a member of JUD’s Markazi (central) team and Daawati (proselytization) team.
The UNSC Sanctions Committee also highlighted that Makki is also the brother-in-law of Hafiz Saeed who is “wanted by the Indian Government” for his role in the 26/11 attacks.

Important Point:

India and the United States have already listed Mr. Makki as a terrorist under their respective national laws and had jointly proposed that the UNSC’s Committee blacklist him on June 1, 2022.

China’s History Of Blocking India’s Listing Proposals

According to the UNSC 1267 Committee’s rules, a technical hold allows countries to request more time to study the information.
China placed such a hold on Makki’s listing in June 2022 and again in December before withdrawing its holding and allowing the listing.
China had utilised similar tactics to delay the listing of terrorist leader Maulana Masood Azhar for over a decade.

China's History Of Blocking Proposals Against Terrorists — China’s History Of Blocking Proposals Against Terrorists

During India’s two-year tenure at the UNSC, New Delhi put forth a total of five names for designation under the ISIL and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee including SanctionMakki (LeT), Abdul Rauf Asghar (Jaish-e-Mohammed), Sajid Mir (LeT), Shahid Mahmood (LeT), and Talha Saeed (LeT). All five faced a “technical hold” from China, while the other 14 members of the Security Council supported the listing.

What Is UNSC’S 1267 Sanctions Committee?

The UNSC’s 1267 Committee was set up in 1999 after the Taliban and Al-Qaeda were listed as terror outfits by Resolution 1267 of the UNSC.
According to the UN, the Committee’s task is to designate terrorists, implement sanctions and monitor their implementation.
The Committee is made up of the 15 members of the UNSC.
Resolution 1267 provides for sanctions against individuals and entities that support or finance the acts or activities of ISIL, Al-Qaida, associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities.

United Nations Security Council: Composition, Functioning and Indian Engagement at UNSC

Is It A Diplomatic Win For India?

China’s Technical hold on the process of listing Abdul Rehman Makki through UNSC Sanctions Committee in June 2022 had annoyed India, which accused Beijing of “double standards” on terrorism and “making a mockery” of UNSC counter-terror mechanisms.
Now, China’s decision to allow the listing is a a first ever show of its anti terrorism approach and it is a clear diplomatic win for India.
This is the first time a listing proposal where India is a co-sponsor has been allowed to go through; and it is the first time a terrorist has been listed primarily for attacks in India, particularly in Kashmir.
As most others have been listed for their al-Qaeda links and for attacks in other parts of the world.
It is unclear what prompted China to showcase its anti terrorism mood, as it has continued to hold out despite the 14 other UNSC members agreeing to the listing.
The situation in front of China, in the year 2019 was different when China agreed to a decade-old demand from India to list JeM chief Masood Azhar. Because at that time there was a huge international outcry over the Pulwama suicide bombing.

What Next For India?

The designation of UNSC terrorists, who are subject to an assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo, is only one step towards bringing them to justice.’
Pakistan has yet to hold even one of the many terrorists on the list accountable for the major attacks they are accused of: from the 1999 IC-814 Kandahar hijacking, to the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, and Pathankot and Pulwama.
India will have to persevere in its task of keeping the spotlight on Makki and others terrorists to ensure that Pakistan continues to feel pressure to prosecute them successfully.

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FAQs

What Is UNSC Resolution 1267?

Resolution 1267 provides for sanctions against individuals and entities that support or finance the acts or activities of ISIL, Al-Qaida, associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities.

What Is technical hold which was applied by China at UNSC Sanctions Committee?

According to the UNSC 1267 Committee’s rules, a technical hold allows countries to request more time to study the information.

Who Is Makki?

Lashkar-e-Taiba's(LeT) fundraiser and key planner Abdul Rehman Makki is a Global Terrorist From Pakistan. The UNSC Sanctions Committee on January 16 held Makki responsible for seven terror attacks including the December 22, 2000 Red Fort attack, the January 1, 2008 Rampur attack, and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.