Morocco adds ten names to counter-terrorism list: asset freeze and travel ban
The CNASNU has registered ten new individuals on the national counter-terrorism list, subjecting them to immediate asset freeze and travel restrictions.
Ten new entries on Morocco's national counter-terrorism list
The National Commission responsible for implementing sanctions provided for in the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (CNASNU) has unanimously approved the addition of ten new individuals to the national list of persons subject to immediate asset freeze, transaction prohibition and travel ban measures, according to Aujourd'hui Le Maroc.
The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Commission's presidency, at the Ministry of Justice, under the chairmanship of Hicham Mellati. Members established that the ten individuals concerned met the substantive conditions required for their registration, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The measures enter into force from the date of registration. All persons now on this list are immediately subject to asset freeze, prohibition of any financial transaction and travel ban. Public bodies and legal entities under public or private law are required to implement these decisions, each within their scope.
The communiqué issued following the meeting emphasised the significance of this approach: "This meeting also reflects the importance that the National Commission (CNASNU) attaches to procedures for registration on local lists, in compliance with relevant international standards, through the strengthening of coordination between all sectors and institutions concerned, the development of information exchange mechanisms, verification of the identity of persons and entities concerned and the concern for accuracy of available data."
The text also specifies that these actions "contribute to mitigating the risks of financing of terrorism and weapons proliferation, to ensure effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions in accordance with international standards, and to strengthen the effectiveness of the national counter-terrorism and counter-weapons of mass destruction proliferation and their financing system".
Role and missions of CNASNU
The CNASNU is the national body responsible for implementing sanctions provided for in United Nations resolutions relating to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction proliferation and their financing. It was established under Article 32 of Law No. 43-05 relating to combating money laundering, as amended in particular by Law 12-18, promulgated by Dahir No. 1-21-56 of 8 June 2021.
Its composition and functioning are determined by Decree No. 2-21-484 of 3 August 2021, amended by Decree No. 2.22.27 of 4 March 2022.
Among its main functions, the Commission proceeds to immediate and without prior warning asset and wealth freeze of natural or legal persons whose names appear on lists annexed to Security Council resolutions. It also designates persons or entities meeting the conditions for registration on such lists and may propose their registration or removal to the Security Council, accompanied by a detailed memorandum.
At the national level, CNASNU is authorised to register on a local list, on the basis of serious and reasonable grounds, persons meeting the criteria set by United Nations Security Council resolution No. 1373. It is also responsible for proposing to the government measures applicable to countries presenting a high risk, at the request of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) or any other competent international institution.
To carry out its missions, the Commission has the power to request and obtain necessary documents and information from persons subject to its jurisdiction, supervisory and control authorities, administrations as well as public and private bodies concerned.
A system rooted in Morocco's international commitments
The creation of CNASNU is part of the Kingdom's strategic commitments to current international standards, which require States to have effective procedures and mechanisms for implementing Security Council resolutions and executing the targeted sanctions that follow from them.
Regular updating of the national list illustrates the willingness of Moroccan authorities to maintain an operational counter-terrorism system compliant with international standards, ensuring close coordination between the different institutions and sectors involved in this field.
Source: Aujourd'hui Le Maroc