UN Security Council Lists Pakistan-based Terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki as Global Terrorist
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has listed Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist under its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. This listing comes after China blocked India’s bid to name Makki a global terrorist last year.
In a statement, the UN said, “On 16 January 2023, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities approved the addition of the entry specified below to its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2610 (2021) and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.”
India and the US have already designated Makki as a terrorist under their domestic laws due to his involvement in raising funds, recruiting, and radicalizing youth to violence, and planning attacks in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. Makki is the brother-in-law of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed and has held various leadership roles within LeT.
In 2020, a Pakistani anti-terrorism court convicted Makki on one count of terrorism financing and sentenced him to prison, according to the US State Department.
In the past, China has placed hurdles for the listing of known terrorists, particularly from Pakistan. It had repeatedly blocked proposals to designate Maulana Masood Azhar, chief of the Pakistan-based and UN-proscribed terrorist entity, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
A former Indian Permanent Representative to the UN has stated that this is a significant development, with India as the proposer and the US as co-signer, and it is a big success for Indian diplomacy. He added, “A very significant development – first terrorist to be listed with India as proposer in the Security Council (co-signed by the US). Express mention of terrorist acts by LET’s Abdul Rehman Makki in Jammu and Kashmir.”
This listing is a significant step in the fight against terrorism and highlights the importance of international cooperation in tackling the issue. It serves as a warning to all those who support and engage in terrorist activities that they will be held accountable for their actions.
