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UN bans alleged terrorist front group suspected in Mumbai attacks

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The UN Security Council on Wednesday added the name of a Pakistani charity seen as a front for the group being blamed for the Mumbai terror attacks to its list of entities subject to asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo as a terrorist organization. At the urging of the Indian government, Jamaat-ud-Dawa was added as a pseudonym for the Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) that India blames for the attacks. The UN also added the names of four individuals, including LeT leader Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who was arrested in a raid of a militant camp Sunday night. A spokesperson for the US State Department said the US was "pleased that the Committee has decided to move forward on these high-priority designations. These actions will limit the ability of known terrorists to travel, acquire weapons, plan, carry out, or raise funds for new terrorist attacks." One of Jamaat-ud-Dawa's leaders who was also added to the list, Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, said that the group will petition the UN to overturn Wednesday's decision. The attacks in Mumbai, which claimed at least 170 lives, were carried out at ten locations across the city, including the landmark Taj Mahal Palace hotel. In the wake of the attacks, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pushed for tougher anti-terrorism measures. Pakistani officials said Tuesday that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will not hand over to India any Pakistani citizens arrested in connection with the attacks, insisting instead on a joint investigation with Indian officials. So far Pakistan has arrested more than 20 people believed to be responsible for the attacks.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on December 11, 2008 (boomark / email).