OTTAWA, May 30, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada's Criminal Code listing regime is one of many tools for countering terrorism in Canada and globally, and is part of the Government's commitment to keep Canadians safe. Today the Government of Canada has listed the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP) as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code.
The actions of ISKP meet the legal threshold set out in the Criminal Code, which requires the existence of reasonable grounds to believe that an entity has knowingly participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity or is acting in association with a listed entity.
Established in January 2015, ISKP is a violent Sunni extremist group seeking to establish the Khorasan province in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region as part of the global caliphate of the Islamic State (IS). ISKP has carried out attacks and kidnappings against a number of targets, including aid organizations, civilians and security forces. ISKP has claimed responsibility for the June 2016 bomb attack that targeted a bus carrying security guards contracted by the Canadian Embassy in Kabul, killing at least 14 people; the October 2016 attack on a police training center in Quetta that killed at least 59 people and injured 100; the May 2017 attack in Kabul on a convoy of NATO soldiers that killed 8 civilians and wounded 25; and, the January 2018 attack in Jalalabad on the international charity "Save the Children" that killed at least 6 people and wounded 27.
In addition to the new listed terrorist entity, the primary name of Jabhat al-Nusra (JN) has been changed to Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and the term Daesh has been added as an alias for the Islamic State. Terrorist groups are continuously forming, merging, and renaming themselves and are known to be strategically changing their names to operate under aliases not yet specified by current sanctions or listing regimes. This is why it is important to constantly review the list in order to adapt it to new realities and improve its accuracy.
The Criminal Code mandates potentially severe penalties for people and organizations that deal with property or finances of a listed entity. It is a crime to knowingly participate in, or contribute to, any activity of a listed entity for the purpose of enhancing the ability of the entity to facilitate or carry out a terrorist activity.
Quotes
"Today's update of the Criminal Code terrorist entity listings is an important step in our efforts to fight terrorism globally and ensure Canada remains a safe and peaceful country. The Government of Canada is unwavering in its commitment to protect the safety and security of Canadians, and to safeguard our rights and freedoms, and the open, inclusive character of our country. We will continue to take appropriate action to curtail the spread of terrorism internationally and to counter terrorist threats to Canada, its citizens and its interests around the world."
- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Quick Facts
- The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness must review the list of terrorist entities every two years to determine if each entity continues to merit listing under the Criminal Code. The results of the next review are expected to be published by the end of the year.
- With the addition of ISKP, there are currently 54 terrorist entities listed under the Criminal Code.
- The listing of terrorist entities under the Criminal Code can facilitate the prosecution of perpetrators and supporters of terrorism and plays a key role in countering terrorist financing.
Associated Links
- The names of listed entities under the Criminal Code can be found on the Public Safety Canada Website.
SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
Scott Bardsley, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]
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