§ Gillian MerronTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the imposition of UN sanctions in relation to Afghanistan. [102230]
§ Mr. HainOn 15 October, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1267 which demanded that the Taliban turn over Usama Bin Laden, indicted in the US for the 1998 bombings of the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, to appropriate authorities in order for him to be brought to justice and decided that, unless that demand was met by 14 November, UN member states would impose a flight ban and freeze on funds in relation to the Taliban.
The demand has not been met. The measures came into force on 14 November. A UN Sanctions Committee will be established to designate the aircraft and funds or other financial resources to which the measures will apply. Humanitarian exemptions are provided for, in respect of 541W both measures. The Sanctions Committee is tasked to decide on the granting of a further exemption in respect of the payment by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to the aeronautical authority of Afghanistan on behalf of international airlines for air traffic control services.
Orders in Council under the United Nations Act 1946 came into force on 26 November to implement the measures in the UK, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.
EU member states have agreed to implement the Security Council resolution collectively. On 15 November, the Council of the European Union adopted a Common Position (1999/727/CFSP) concerning restrictive measures against the Taliban.