The New Zealand Government is this week
listing the following groups and individuals as terrorist entities pursuant to
the provisions of the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002:
·
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar
·
Stichting Benevolence International
Nederland
·
Lashkar I Jhangvi
·
Ansar Al-Islam
·
Special Purpose Islamic Regiment
·
Islamic International Brigade
· Riyadus-Salikhin Reconnaissance and Sabotage Battalion of Chechen Martyrs
These designations follow a decision by
the United Nations Security Council to list these groups and individuals as
terrorist entities. They take effect immediately for a period of three years,
unless extended.
The decision to proceed with these
designations was taken by the Prime Minister, in consultation with the Attorney
General, pursuant to the Terrorism Suppression Act.
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is a self styled
warlord who is currently allied to remnant Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Ansar
Al-Islam is a terrorist group operating in north-eastern Iraq that closely
follows Taliban customs and has declared jihad against secular and non-Islamic
groups in the region.
Lashkar I Jhangvi means 'army of Jang' a
region in Pakistan. The organization was responsible for the January 2002
kidnapping and murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl.
Stichting Benevolence International
Nederland is a fundraising entity for organizations, including Al Qaeda, which
are engaged in terrorist activity.
Special Purpose Islamic Regiment and
Islamic International Brigade are Chechen terrorist organisations which have
links to al-Qaeda. The Riyadus-Salikhin Reconnaissance and Sabotage Battalion
of Chechen Martyrs is made up of members of the previous organizations and
carried out the attack against the Dubrovka Theatre in Moscow in 2002.
Helen Clark said none of the designated
groups or individuals is known to have any current links to New Zealand.
"Nevertheless, designating these
individuals and groups as terrorists and terrorist entities will serve to deter
New Zealanders from becoming inadvertently involved in their activities,"
Helen Clark said.
"It will also make it an offence to
participate in Stichting Benevolence International Nederland, Lashkar I Jhangvi,
Ansar Al-Islam, the Special Purpose Islamic Regiment, the Islamic International
Brigade and the Riyadus-Salikhin Reconnaissance and Sabotage Battalion of
Chechen, recruit members to these groups, provide or collect funds for them or
make property or financial services available to them.
"The financing of international terrorism is a matter of grave concern to the international community as a whole and one which New Zealand, as a member of that community, recognizes the need to address effectively. These designations assist in that process," Helen Clark said.