NEWS RELEASES
CANADA SIGNS INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM
February 10, 2000 (2:00 p.m. EST) No. 22
CANADA SIGNS INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE
SUPPRESSION OF THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, Justice Minister and Attorney General Anne McLellan, and Solicitor
General Lawrence MacAulay today announced that Canada has signed the International Convention for the
Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. The Convention is designed to assist in preventing the territories of
signatory states from being used as bases for terrorist fund-raising activities. It also provides a framework for
the extradition or prosecution of those who raise or provide funds to terrorists. Mr. Axworthy signed the
Convention at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
"Canada has expressed strong support for and has chaired the negotiating committee for this Convention," said
Mr. Axworthy. "As well as fighting terrorist fundraising, it strengthens the powers of the international legal
community in blocking terrorists' sources of financial support. The Convention is entirely consistent with existing
Canadian policy objectives."
The Convention is intended to complement existing counter-terrorist conventions. It aims to curb terrorist acts
by restricting terrorists' sources of funding, through the creation of new offences under international law.
"Terrorism has no national boundaries. The global challenge today is to keep a step ahead of terrorists.
Canada is committed to working with its international partners in addressing the serious problem of terrorism in
all of its forms," said Ms. McLellan.
"The Convention reflects the commitment of nations to fight terrorism at its source. Canada has a vigorous
counter-terrorism program in place that can only be made more effective by this international convention," said
Mr. MacAulay.
Canada has been at the forefront of the fight against international terrorism. It has signed all 12 of the existing
international counter-terrorism conventions, and ratified 10 of them.
The Convention was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1999, and has been
open for signature since January 10, 2000. Canada was among the first signatories. As of February 10, the
Convention had been signed by ten states. It will come into force following the ratification, acceptance,
accession or approval of 22 states.
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A backgrounder is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Line Chabot-Racine
Office of the Minister of Justice
(613) 992-4621
Michael E. Zigayer
Criminal Law Policy Section
Department of Justice
(613) 957-4736
Dan Brien
Office of the Solicitor General
(613) 991-2874
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Backgrounder
THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR
THE SUPPRESSION OF THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM
The curbing of terrorism fundraising is an integral component of Canada's international efforts to combat
terrorism. The United Nations Sixth Committee Working Group, under Canadian chairmanship, successfully
concluded negotiations on the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism on
October 8, 1999. In addition to chairing the negotiating committee, Canada was instrumental in helping to
resolve a number of important issues.
The Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1999, and was opened for
signature on January 10, 2000. The Convention is intended to complement existing counter-terrorist
conventions. It aims to curb terrorist acts by restricting terrorists' sources of funding as well as by defining new
offences under international law to close gaps currently used in counter-terrorist legal cases. These new
definitions criminalize the provision or collection of funds used or intended to be used to carry out terrorist acts.
The Convention also provides for the civil, criminal or administrative liability of legal entities for offences
committed. Finally, the Convention allows for the incorporation of relevant offences that might be identified in
subsequent counter-terrorism treaties.
Canada has promoted international co-operation to fight terrorist fundraising in meetings such as the 1996 G-8
Ministerial meeting in Paris and the 1998 G-8 Summit in Birmingham. Canada will continue to strongly support
measures and obligations that fight terrorist fundraising and strengthen the international legal regime against
terrorists and their sources of funding.
In addition to Canada's role in creating the Convention, Canada has signed all 12 and ratified 10 of the existing
international counter-terrorism conventions. Canada continues in its efforts together with its allies in such
organizations as the G-8 and the Organization of American States.
To date, ten countries have signed the Convention. Canada urges all countries to sign and adhere to
international conventions in the fight against terrorism.
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