China creates legal framework on terrorism
Updated: 2011-10-30 07:46
By Zhao Yinan (China Daily)
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BEIJING - China's legal authorities will release their first formal catalog of terrorists and terrorgroups in an effort to freeze their assets "in a timely manner", based on the country's existing terrorist laws and previous UN decisions, a legal expert said on Saturday.
A legislative resolution passed by the top legislature on Saturday defines terrorist groups andtheir participants for the first time in China, and it empowers the State Council to identify a list ofterrorists and their organizations according to the definition, a step forward to deal with the"extended, complicated and intense" anti-terrorism work, Li Shouwei, a legal expert with theNational People's Congress Standing Committee, said at a news conference.
The resolution defines terrorist activity as behavior aimed at generating social panic,jeopardizing public security, intimidating State agencies or international organizations, andactions that cause or intend to inflict casualties, major economic loss, damage to public facilitiesor social disorder through violence, destruction, threats or other means. Stirring up, funding orassisting such actions are also considered terrorist activities..
An individual terrorist, meanwhile, is described as a person who organizes, masterminds orcarries out such activities and someone who participates in a terrorist organization.
"Financial institutes and some specific non-financial groups should seize listed criminals'assets, once they discovered such property," Li said, adding that the list of names will covertargets both at home and abroad, and it will be fine-tuned over time.
Although there are existing articles in China's Criminal Law and other stipulations that help fightterrorism, the lack of a clear definition of terrorist activities, terrorist organizations and theirparticipants has directly hindered cracking down on such activities, controlling related assetsand international anti-terrorist cooperation, Li said.
While drafting the list, the country's top anti-terrorism group under the State Council will refer toexisting rosters published by the Ministry of Public Security and those identified by the UnitedNations, ensuring it is "in line with both domestic and international regulations".
Previously, the country had published two lists of terrorists and their groups in 2003 and 2008.The 2003 roster includes 10 people and four groups, while eight attackers comprise the latterone, according to information seen on the ministry's website.
According to the lists, almost all the identified terrorist groups and participants are affiliated tothe East Turkestan Islamic Movement, a group seeking the independence of East Turkestan.
"The East Turkestan Islamic Movement remains the most direct and imminent object of China'santi-terrorism work. Although its major force is deployed overseas, they have constantlyinfiltrated into China, especially in the Xinjiang area," said Li Wei, an anti-terrorism expert withthe China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.
Despite the resolution's effects on cracking down on terrorism, Li said China's efforts in thisfield are still challenged.
Updated: 2011-10-30 07:46
By Zhao Yinan (China Daily)
======================================================
BEIJING - China's legal authorities will release their first formal catalog of terrorists and terrorgroups in an effort to freeze their assets "in a timely manner", based on the country's existing terrorist laws and previous UN decisions, a legal expert said on Saturday.
A legislative resolution passed by the top legislature on Saturday defines terrorist groups andtheir participants for the first time in China, and it empowers the State Council to identify a list ofterrorists and their organizations according to the definition, a step forward to deal with the"extended, complicated and intense" anti-terrorism work, Li Shouwei, a legal expert with theNational People's Congress Standing Committee, said at a news conference.
The resolution defines terrorist activity as behavior aimed at generating social panic,jeopardizing public security, intimidating State agencies or international organizations, andactions that cause or intend to inflict casualties, major economic loss, damage to public facilitiesor social disorder through violence, destruction, threats or other means. Stirring up, funding orassisting such actions are also considered terrorist activities..
An individual terrorist, meanwhile, is described as a person who organizes, masterminds orcarries out such activities and someone who participates in a terrorist organization.
"Financial institutes and some specific non-financial groups should seize listed criminals'assets, once they discovered such property," Li said, adding that the list of names will covertargets both at home and abroad, and it will be fine-tuned over time.
Although there are existing articles in China's Criminal Law and other stipulations that help fightterrorism, the lack of a clear definition of terrorist activities, terrorist organizations and theirparticipants has directly hindered cracking down on such activities, controlling related assetsand international anti-terrorist cooperation, Li said.
While drafting the list, the country's top anti-terrorism group under the State Council will refer toexisting rosters published by the Ministry of Public Security and those identified by the UnitedNations, ensuring it is "in line with both domestic and international regulations".
Previously, the country had published two lists of terrorists and their groups in 2003 and 2008.The 2003 roster includes 10 people and four groups, while eight attackers comprise the latterone, according to information seen on the ministry's website.
According to the lists, almost all the identified terrorist groups and participants are affiliated tothe East Turkestan Islamic Movement, a group seeking the independence of East Turkestan.
"The East Turkestan Islamic Movement remains the most direct and imminent object of China'santi-terrorism work. Although its major force is deployed overseas, they have constantlyinfiltrated into China, especially in the Xinjiang area," said Li Wei, an anti-terrorism expert withthe China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.
Despite the resolution's effects on cracking down on terrorism, Li said China's efforts in thisfield are still challenged.
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chinadaily.com.cn/sunday/2011-10/30/content_14002347.htm
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