Actions Against Support for Terrorists

U.S. Actions Against Support for Terrorists in 2013

United States views on international law [1] in relation to U.S. Actions Against Support for Terrorists: (1) U.S. targeted sanctions implementing UN Security Council resolutions

See Chapter 16.A.4.b.(2) Foreign terrorist organizations (i) New designations

In 2013, the Department of State announced the U.S. Secretary of State's designation of seven additional organizations and their associated aliases as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (“FTOs”) under § 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act: Ansar alDine (78 Fed. Reg. 17,744 (Mar. 22, 2013)); Boko Haram and Ansaru (78 Fed. Reg. 68,500 (Nov. 14, 2013); see also (Secretary of State website) state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/11/217509.htm); the al-Mulathamun Battalion, with its aliases, “Those Who Sign in Blood” battalion and “alMurabitoun” (78 Fed. Reg. 76,887 (Dec. 19, 2013); see also (Secretary of State website) state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/218880.htm); Ansar al-Shari'a in Tunisia (79 Fed. Reg. 2240 (Jan. 13, 2014)); Ansar al-Shari'a in Darnah (79 Fed. Reg. 2241 (Jan. 13, 2014)); Ansar al-Shari'a in Benghazi (79 Fed. Reg. 2241 (Jan. 13, 2014)). See Chapter 16.A.4.b. for a discussion of the simultaneous designation of these entities pursuant to Executive Order 13224.

Some Aspects of U.S. Actions Against Support for Terrorists

The Department amended the designation of al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula to include the new alias, Ansar al-Shari'a (“AAS”). 77 Fed. Reg. 61,046 (Oct. 5, 2012). Likewise, the Department amended the designation of al-Qaida in Iraq (“AQI”) twice in 2012 to add new aliases: Islamic State of Iraq (77 Fed. Reg. 4082 (Jan. 26, 2012)); AlNusrah Front, Jabhat al-Nusrah, Jabhet al-Nusra, The Victory Front, Al Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant (77 Fed. Reg. 73,732 (Dec. 11, 2012)). U.S. financial institutions are required to block funds of designated FTOs or their agents within their possession or control; representatives and members of designated FTOs, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to, and in some cases removable from, the United States; and U.S. persons or persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are subject to criminal prohibitions on knowingly providing “material support or resources” to a designated FTO. 18 U.S.C. § 2339B. See (Secretary of State website) state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm for background on the applicable sanctions and other legal consequences of designation as an FTO.

Developments

(ii) Reviews of FTO designations

During 2013, the U.S. Secretary of State continued to review designations of entities as FTOs consistent with the procedures for reviewing and revoking FTO designations in § 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (“IRTPA”), Pub. L. No. 108-458, 118 Stat. 3638. See this world legal encyclopedia (in relation to issues that took place in the year 2005) at 113–16 and this world legal encyclopedia (in relation to issues that took place in the year 2008) at 101–3 for additional details on the IRTPA amendments and review procedures. The Secretary reviewed each FTO individually and determined that the circumstances that were the basis for the designations of the following FTOs have not changed in such a manner as to warrant revocation of the designations and the national security of the United States did not warrant revocation: Hizballah (78 Fed. Reg. 17,745 (Mar. 22, 2013)); Real Irish Republican Army (78 Fed. Reg. 26,101 (May 3, 2013)); Abu Sayyaf Group (78 Fed. Reg. 24,463 (Apr. 25, 2013)); Kurdistan Worker's Party (78 Fed. Reg. 69,927 (Nov. 21, 2013); Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (78 Fed. Reg. 46,671 (Aug. 1, 2013)). On May 13, 2013, the Secretary determined that the circumstances that were the basis for the designation of the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group as an FTO have changed in such a manner as to warrant revocation of the designation. 78 Fed. Reg. 32,000 (May 28, 2013).

Resources

Notes

1. U.s. Actions Against Support for Terrorists in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law