NEWS RELEASES
CANADA RATIFIES INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR SUPPRESSION OF TERRORISM FINANCING
February 15, 2002 (12:30 p.m. EST) No. 16
CANADA RATIFIES INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR SUPPRESSION OF
TERRORISM FINANCING
Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Martin Cauchon, and Solicitor
General Lawrence MacAulay today announced that Canada has ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of
the Financing of Terrorism. The Convention aims to curb terrorist acts by cutting off terrorists' sources of funding through
the creation of new offences under international law. Minister Graham presented Canada's instruments of ratification to
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan during their meeting today at UN headquarters in New York City.
"This Convention provides a valuable tool in our global fight against terrorism, to help prevent another tragedy, such as the
one that occurred here in New York," said Minister Graham. "With Canada's ratification today, we are close to having this
important Convention enter into force."
Countries that ratify the Convention are required to criminalize the provision or collection of funds used or intended for use
in committing terrorist acts. The Convention also establishes a framework for the extradition or prosecution of those who
raise or provide funds to terrorists.
"Targeting terrorist financing is an integral component of Canada's efforts to combat terrorism," said Minister Cauchon. "I
am pleased that we have recently enacted federal legislation, through the Anti-Terrorism Act, to bring Canada into
compliance with the requirements of the Convention and to ensure that we can play our role in the global effort to disable
and dismantle terrorist organizations."
"Canada is committed to curbing terrorist financing and this Convention will strengthen our capacity to do so," said
Minister MacAulay.
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 is the twentieth country to ratify the Convention. It will enter into force when
ratified by 22 states.
The Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism is intended to complement existing counterterrorism
conventions. Canada has signed all 12 of the existing conventions, and has now ratified 11 of them.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Media Relations Office
Department of Justice
(613) 957-4207
Communications
Department of the Solicitor General
(613) 990-2743
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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