Suppression of the financing of terrorism

Abstract

Regrettably, terrorism and transport are linked. Attacks or attempted attacks against society have been carried out frequently through air transport, the most recent at the time of writing being attempts to blow up air cargo facilities in the aircraft. A significant advantage enjoyed by conventional terrorism is the ready funding available from various spurious sources toward the commission of terrorist acts. Therefore, there is a compelling need for the international community to eradicate the financing of terrorism or at least to curb it. In General Assembly Resolution 51/210 of 17 December 1996, the Assembly called upon all States to take steps to prevent and counteract, through appropriate domestic measures, the financing of terrorists and terrorist organizations, whether such financing is direct or indirect through organizations which also have or claim to have charitable, social or cultural goals or which are also engaged in unlawful activities such as illicit arms trafficking, drug dealing and racketeering, including the exploitation of persons for purposes of funding terrorist activities, and in particular to consider, where appropriate, adopting regulatory measures to prevent and counteract movements of funds suspected to be intended for terrorist purposes without impeding in any way the freedom of legitimate capital movements and to intensify the exchange of information concerning international movements of such funds. The United Nations General Assembly, on 9 December 1999, adopted the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, aimed at enhancing international co-operation among States in devising and adopting effective measures for the prevention of the financing of terrorism, as well as for its suppression through the prosecution and punishment of its perpetrators. This article identifies modes of terrorism that are effectively funded and which could affect the safety of transportation. It also discusses State responsibility and the political will of States to respond to this issue.