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| Picture Credit: A. Raffaele Ciriello |
The UN Security Council first imposed sanctions on Afghanistan in October 1999, to force the Taliban, the de facto government of Afghanistan, to hand over the terrorist Osama bin Laden to the "appropriate authorities." Bin Laden has been indicted by the United States.
In December 2000, after strong pressure from the United States and Russia, the Security Council strengthened the sanctions. The new sanctions were imposed despite an August 2000 report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which highlighted the "tangible negative effect" on Afghanistan's populace of the existing sanctions. Another draft OCHA report has said that "no poor country has ever been sanctioned the way Afghanistan has."
UN Sanctions Resolutions
Resolution 1617 (July 29, 2005)
The Security Council has adopted a US-sponsored resolution that extends the current travel ban and arms embargo against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, for the first time specifying those who are considered associates of these terrorist groups and therefore subject to the sanctions. The resolution, noting that no member states had reported violations of the travel ban, also calls for a monitoring team to assess member states' compliance with sanctions implementation.
Resolution 1455 (January 17, 2003)
The Security Council prolongs sanctions for an additional 12 months and decides to improve implementation of the measures. It requests the Sanctions Committee report back to the Council at least every three months and asks of the Secretary General that he establish a new panel of 5 experts to monitor sanctions.
Resolution 1390 (January 16, 2002)
Resolution 1390 extends existing sanctions on Al Qaeda and the Taliban for another 12 months and calls on all Member States to respect previous resolutions by freezing all funds and financial assets owned or controlled by either of the organizations. The Council further extends the arms embargo and urges Member States to cooperate in the travel ban imposed on Al Qaeda or the Taliban members.
Resolution 1388 (January 15, 2002)
Following the US invasion in Iraq and the removal from power of the Taliban, the Security Council ended the sanctions that applied to Ariana Afghan Airlines, noting that the Taliban no longer owned, leased or operated the company. The US called for sanctions aimed specifically at Al Qaeda and the Taliban to grant the new interim administration relative freedom and end the suffering of ordinary Afghanis.
Resolution 1363 (July 30, 2001)
Resolution 1363 strengthens the enforcement of UN sanctions imposed on the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan. The Resolution establishes a small team of up to 15 monitors, which will be based mainly in Islamabad. In addition, five people will act as a watching eye in New York and will report back to the Council on the Taliban's compliance with sanctions.
Resolution 1333 (December 19, 2000)
Resolution 1333 adds an embargo on the direct and indirect supply, sale and transfer of arms to the territory of Afghanistan under Taliban control to existing UN sanctions related to Al-Qaeda. In recognition of the critical humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the Council emphasizes that the measures do not apply to non-military equipment "intended solely for humanitarian or protective use" and urges the Taliban to "provide safety, security and freedom of movement" for humanitarian personnel.
Resolution 1267 (October 15, 1999)
Resolution 1267 demands that the Taliban cease its activities in support of international terrorism and insists that the Afghan faction turn over Osama Bin Laden to the appropriate authorities to bring him to justice. To enforce these demands, the Council imposes a flight ban on any aircraft "owned, leased or operated by or on behalf of the Taliban" and freezes all financial resources that the organization controls. The Resolution also announces the establishment of a Sanctions Monitoring Committee, which will include all Security Council members.
UN Documents
UN press release on Resolution 1333,
This press release includes summaries of ambassadors' statements.
Report of the Secretary General on the Humanitarian Implications of Sanctions in Afghanistan (December 18, 2001)
The report concludes that years of civil war, human rights abuses, and three years of drought are the primary causes of human suffering in Afghanistan, with UN sanctions imposed in 1999 and 2000 playing only a secondary role.
2nd Report of the Secretary General on the Situation in Afghanistan (July 13, 2001)
The report of Secretary General acknowledges that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated while the country has been under sanctions, but it refrains from attributing blame to the sanctions.
Report of the Secretary General on the Situation in Afghanistan (April 19, 2001)
Kofi Annan warns of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, but states that UN sanctions are not responsible for the current situation.
Articles
2008 |2006 |2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | Archived Articles
2008
Terrorism Financing Blacklist at Risk (November 2, 2008)
European countries are no longer supporting the UN Security Council blacklist for al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups. This is because the European Court of Justice- as well as national courts- decided that the list does not comply with international human rights standards. Because persons on the list do not have the right to see the evidence against them, they risk placement on the blacklist for political reasons. The UN charter allows neither a court nor independent experts to review the Security Council's decisions. (Washington Post)
The UN Security Council Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee: Emerging Principles of International Institutional Law for the Protection of Individuals (November 1, 2008)
The Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee freezes personal assets and applies travel bans and arms embargoes to individuals who Security Council members accuse of supporting terrorist organizations. Once these individuals are ‘blacklisted', it is very difficult to remove them from the list and lift the sanctions if they prove their innocence. This German Law Journal argues that the Council members possibly use sanctions at the international level to escape national standards of human rights protection and judicial review.
2006
Afghanistan's Anti-Narcotics Strategy (August 29, 2006)
According to the 2005 statistics from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the cultivation of opium in Afghanistan significantly increased, accounting for 87 percent of world production despite the Afghan government's National Drug Control Strategy. This Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies article points out that the Taliban insurgency encourages narcotic production to fund its activities. "The lucrative nature of the Afghan opium trade that links cultivators, traffickers and consumers is one of the biggest threats to effective nation-building and regional stability," the author says.
2005
UN Report Warns of More Terrorists (September 20, 2005)
A UN report warns that Al Qaeda's operations have expanded to comprise new recruits skilled in urban warfare and suicide bombings. The report recommends that the Security Council broaden the arms embargo to keep this "third generation" of followers from obtaining military-quality materials or using chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. "UN sanctions need to be updated to keep up with the changing terrorist tactics." (Associated Press)
US Seeks to Firm Up Terrorist Sanctions (July 14, 2005)
The United States has circulated a draft resolution at the United Nations that aims to make UN sanctions against al-Qaeda and the Taliban more effective. The resolution clarifies the definition of those "associated with" target groups, to try and close loopholes which permit states to avoid taking action. It would also set up a monitoring team to assess national implementation of the sanctions regime and punish offenders. Such measures could help make UN sanctions a vital and effective weapon against terrorism. (Associated Press)
2004
Al-Qaeda Sanctions 'Ineffective' (August 27, 2004)
A UN committee says sanctions on Al-Qaeda, including asset freezing and arms control, have been ineffective. Al-Qaeda has been flexible in circumventing Security Council actions and often operates cheaply and with arms not covered by sanctions. The committee recommends reforming Security Council methods for dealing with terrorism. (BBC)
UN Dissolves Panel Monitoring Al Qaeda (February 2, 2004)
The UN Security Council has dissolved the expert panel in charge of monitoring sanctions against Al Qaeda and replaced it with a "more professional body." Michael Chandler, the former panel's chair, argues that the dismissal results from "pressure from influential UN members who had been singled out in his reports for failing to take adequate measures to combat Al Qaeda." (Washington Post)
Most UN Members Lag on Drive Against Al Qaeda (January 13, 2004)
Only 93 out the 191 UN members have filed their reports as required by the Security Council, complains the sanctions Committee on Al Qaeda/Talibans. While the Council prepares to vote on a new resolution to pressure non-complying members, France wants to renew the sanctions regime annually, whereas Washington wants the Al Qaeda sanctions to remain in place until the Council decides otherwise. (Reuters)
2003
Al-Qaida, Taliban Money Laundering 'More Sophisticated' - UN Panel Chair (October 15, 2003)
The chairman of the Security Council sanction committee on Al-Qaida and the Taliban reports that Al-Qaida circumvents sanctions by using couriers and non-standard banking arrangements to move money. The chairman also reported strong suspicions that the Taliban exchanges drugs for cash. (UN News Centre)
Report Says UN Embargo Does Little to Halt Al Qaeda (June 20, 2003)
Travel and arms sanctions issued by the Security Council against Al Qaeda have not greatly impeded the mobility and activity of individual members. This failure highlights the difficulty of imposing sanctions against a well-established but elusive network. (Washington Post)
2002
Bid to Stop Funds for Qaeda Hits Obstacles (August 29, 2002)
"Al Qaeda is by all accounts 'fit and well' and poised to strike again at its leisure," states the UN Panel responsible for monitoring sanctions against Al Qaeda. The report outlines the obstacles obstructing the task of blocking Al-Qaeda's funding. (Washington Post)
UN Monitors Warn of Afghan Missiles (January 24, 2002)
In a report to the Security Council, the head of the UN committee monitoring sanctions against the Taliban warns that members of al Qaeda may possess missiles capable of delivering conventional or chemical weapons. The Council has not formally responded to the report. (Washington Post)
UN Gives Green Light to Afghan Bank (January 16, 2002)
The Security Council's committee monitoring sanctions against Afghanistan removed the Da Afghanistan Bank, the country's central financial institution, from its list of groups and individuals whose assets have been ordered frozen because of links to Osama bin Laden's terrorist operation. (Associated Press)
US Plans Release of $221 Million in Afghan Assets (January 15, 2002)
The Security Council prepares to lift a flight ban on Ariana Airlines, the Afghan state airline, to accelerate the transfer of Taliban-controlled assets to the new Afghan government. (Washington Post)
Afghan Sanctions Outlive Usefulness (January 10, 2002)
With the removal of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Security Council is now discussing the repeal of diplomatic, economic, and travel sanctions imposed on the country two years ago. (Interpress Service)
US to Ask UN for Continuing Afghan Sanctions (January 08, 2002)
The US is calling the Security Council to update Resolution 1333 imposing sanctions against the Taliban to "reflect changes in the situation" in Afghanistan. (Washington Times)
