Media Release

FA66 - 16 June 2003

Further Steps To Prevent The Financing Of Terrorism

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, today announced the listing in the Commonwealth Gazette of the Al Aqsa Foundation under Part 4 of the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 on the basis that it is an entity involved in terrorism.

As a consequence of this listing it is now a criminal offence for persons who hold assets that are owned or controlled by the Al Aqsa Foundation to use or deal with those assets.  It is also a criminal offence for persons to make assets available to the Al Aqsa Foundation.  The penalty for these offences is five years imprisonment.

Alternate names of the Al Aqsa Foundation and the addresses of its headquarters and various branches may be found in the Gazette or on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website (www.dfat.gov.au/icat/freezing_terrorist_assets.html).  A consolidated list of all persons and entities to which Part 4 of the Act currently applies can also be found at this website.

Pursuant to Regulation 10 of the Charter of the United Nations (Terrorism and Dealings with Assets) Regulations, anyone who suspects they may hold assets of any person or entity on the consolidated list must contact the Australian Federal Police’s National Assessment Centre (TEL: 02 6275 7348; email NATOMC@afp.gov.au.).

Part 4 of the Act implements Australia’s obligation under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001) to freeze the assets of persons who commit, attempt to commit, participate in or facilitate the commission of terrorist acts; of entities owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such persons; and of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of such persons and entities.

Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) +61 02 6277 7500