U.S. circulates draft resolution on Azhar in Security Council

U.S. circulates draft resolution on Azhar in Security Council

1. The US has circulated a draft resolution in the UN Security Council proposing to blacklist Jaish chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.The move comes after UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee had failed to designate Azhar as a terrorist after China placed a hold on a listing request that the U.S,U.K.and France had brought before the Committee.
2. This is the first time the US has moved a draft resolution directly in the Security Council to designate Azhar.The previous proposals have been listed in the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee to designate Azhar.
3. Unlike a listing proposal,which is generally under a 10-day no objection period,the draft resolution is not under any no-objection provision.The draft resolution will be discussed informally and then it goes to the Council.However,during voting it could again face a veto by China.Any veto has to be publicly justified by the country.
4. China has objected to the United States move for circulating a draft resolution in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).China has said that the resolution has reduced the authority of the UNSC 1267 committee as the main anti-terrorism body of the security council.
5. The UNSC 1267 Committee was established as a result of resolution 1267 (1999).If an individual or an organisation is included in the list, it leads to(a)countries to freeze the targeted group’s or individual’s assets (b)ban designated individuals from travelling and (c)prevent the supply of weapons,technology and other aid.
6. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.It is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security.The Security Council consists of fifteen members. Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, and the United States—serve as the body’s five permanent members.The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms.