Sanctions of the UN Security Council

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• Sanctions of the UN Security Council
• What is Sanctions regime of UNSC?
• What is Sanctions committee of UNSC?
• What are the Functions of UNSC sanctions committee?
• What are the Procedures followed by the UNSC sanctions committee?
• What is UNSC Al-Qaeda and ISIL Sanctions Committee?
• News Summary: China blocks proposal at UN to blacklist Pak-based LeT terrorist Sajid Mir

 

Why in news?

• China blocked a proposal by India and the US at the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir as a global terrorist.
  • Mir is wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
• The proposal was to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist.

 

Sanctions of the UN Security Council

What is Sanctions regime of UNSC?

• Under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the UN Security Council can take action to maintain or restore international peace and security.
• The application of sanctions is one of the possibilities the Council has in this respect.
• Sanctions measures, under Article 41 of the UN Charter, encompass a broad range of enforcement options that do not involve the use of armed force.
• The measures can range from economic and trade embargoes to more targeted measures against specific individuals, companies or entities, such as the freezing of funds and travel bans.
• Pursuant to this, currently, the UNSC has 14 active sanctions regimes.
  • Sanctions regimes are enacted via a UN Security Council resolution.
  • The sanctions regimes focus on supporting political processes in armed conflicts, nuclear non-proliferation and counter-terrorism.

 

What is Sanctions committee of UNSC?

• Each sanctions regime is administered by a sanctions committee that consists of all 15 members of the Security Council.
  • 15 members include – 5 permanent member and 10 non-permanent members of UNSC.
• These sanctions committees ensure the implementation of the sanctions and can decide by consensus to adopt targeted sanctions against specific individuals, enterprises or entities.
• UNSC Al-Qaeda and ISIL Sanctions Committee or 1267 sanctions committee is one of such committee.

 

What are the Functions of UNSC sanctions committee?

• The committee discusses UN efforts to limit the movement of terrorists, especially those related to travel bans, the freezing of assets and arms embargoes for terrorism.
• Once an entity or an individual is included in the list it gets designated as the “Global Terrorist”.
• The member states are required to:
  • freeze funds and financial assets of that individual/entity,
  • enforce a travel ban, and
  • cut off access to arms and related materials.

 

What are the Procedures followed by the UNSC sanctions committee?

• Decision by consensus
  • The decisions are adopted by consensus.
  • This requirement effectively gives a veto to all 15 members of the committee (10 non-permanent + 5 permanent).
• Member can place a hold on the decision
  • A committee member can place a “hold” on the decision should they require more time and information to consider the matter at hand.
  • As per the guidelines, a hold can last for as long as 6 months at a time, but can be extended further under “extraordinary circumstances”.
  • Apart from this vague condition, there is no restriction on repeatedly invoking a hold.
• Meeting behind the close doors
  • Committee meetings take place in closed sessions, with no publication of the agenda, proceedings and voting records of the committee.

 

What is UNSC Al-Qaeda and ISIL Sanctions Committee?

• The ISIL (Da-esh) and Al Qaida sanctions committee is also known as the 1267 sanctions committee.
• It is one of the most important UN subsidiary bodies working to combat terrorism, particularly in relation to ISIL (Da’esh), Al‑Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities.
• It oversees sanctions measures related to individuals, entities and groups, associated with the aforementioned organizations.
• This committee oversees the implementation of sanctions pursuant to UNSC resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015).

 

News Summary: China blocks proposal at UN to blacklist Pak-based LeT terrorist Sajid Mir

• China blocked a proposal by India and the U.S. to designate Pakistan-based LeT terrorist Sajid Mir as a global terrorist.
• Earlier, in September 2022, China had put a hold on the proposal to designate Mir at the UN.

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Image Caption: Block Pattern of China

 

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Q1) What does the UNSC do?

The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote. Under the Charter of the United Nations, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.

 

Q2) Why are there 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council?

According to Oppenheim's International Law: United Nations, "Permanent membership in the Security Council was granted to five states based on their importance in the aftermath of World War II." Sometimes referred to as the P5, the permanent members of the Security Council have a unique role that has evolved over time.

 

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Source: China blocks proposal at UN to blacklist Pak-based LeT terrorist and 26/11 accused Sajid Mir | United Nations Security Council | The Hindu