India slams hold on declaring Masood Azhar global terrorist

October 7, 2016

India has reacted sharply to the extension of the “technical hold” on banning Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar by the United Nations 1267 Sanctions Committee.
It clearly mentioned that being a global body, UN will be sending a “dangerous message” if it fails to act upon India’s demand for his designation as a global terrorist.
India also criticised the complete non-transparent and anonymous manner of designating individuals by the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee.
It also mentioned that, UN Sanctions Committee has already proscribed Pakistan-based JeM a terrorist organisation. However committee ignored the need to take action against the organisation’s main leader, motivator and financier who continues his terrorist actions unhindered.
What is the case?

In March 2016, India told the 1267 Committee of UN to designate Masood Azhar as an international terrorist citing to act against its main leader, financier and motivator of terrorist organisation.
India had pressed case against Masood in UN following the January 2016 Pathankot attack which it blamed on the outfit JeM. Masood was also blamed as the mastermind behind recent September 2016 Uri attack in Jammu Kashmir.
However in March 2016, China a veto-wielding permanent member of UNSC had blocked India’s move to put a ban on Azhar Masood under the al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee.
China was the sole member in the 15-nation UNSC to put a hold on India’s application while the rest 14 members of the UNSC supported India’s bid.

About United Nations Security Council 1267 Committee

The UNSC 1267 Committee was established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999). It is also known as the AlQaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee.
It was established for the purpose of overseeing the implementation of sanctions measures imposed on Taliban-controlled Afghanistan for its support of Osama bin Laden.
However in course of time, the 1267 sanctions regime has been modified and strengthened by subsequent resolutions.
If an individual or terrorist organisation is included in this list, it helps in restricting their movement, financial penalties and assets freeze among others.
The Committee comprises all 15 members of the UNSC and makes its decision by consensus and secretly. If single member opposes it there is no consensus.
That’s why China opposition to India’s bid is not allowing UNSC to designate Masood Azhar as an international terrorist and freeze his assets and travel ban.
The committee is being criticised for being non transparent and in recent time there is demand for its reforms to address procedural shortcomings especially from India.

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