The Executive Yuan yesterday approved amendments to the Counter-Terrorism Financing Act (資恐防治法) to include attacks against national infrastructure, critical facilities or key systems as acts of terrorism.
The Ministry of Justice said laws must be kept up-to-date and that the amendment would ensure that Taiwan is in-sync with international efforts against money laundering, counterterrorism financing and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
The amendment was in response to suggestions from the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, it added.
Photo courtesy of the Executive Yuan
The amendment would also change the name of the act to “Counter-Terrorism Financing and Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act” (資助恐怖活動及大規模毀滅性武器擴散防制法).
A new provision bans trading with or receiving cargo from areas sanctioned by the UN Security Council or by the government.
Operators of ships that hide transactions; turn off their automatic identification systems without cause; alter, hide or do not carry their pennant numbers; or fail to produce or change the contents of their shipping logs could receive a three-year prison sentence and a maximum fine of NT$600,000.
The amendment also changes wording on financing terrorism and proliferation of WMDs from “knowingly conducted” to “an act of intent,” and states that raising funds to finance terrorism counts as criminal behavior.
Proof of the defendants providing money or assets to specific terrorist groups would no longer be necessary.
The amendment also enhances the Counter-Terrorism Financing and Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Committee’s capabilities, allowing it to determine which groups would be sanctioned or removed from the list.
Authorities would decide whether to allow people accused of such crimes to retain funds to live on or grant them limited leeway in financial activities.
Institutions are obligated to report suspicious transactions that might finance terrorism or contribute to the proliferation of WMDs, and provide the government with updates on the frozen assets of people who are sanctioned.
This would allow the government to detect terrorism-related transactions earlier and increase the likelihood of stopping them, the ministry said.
The amendment also changes regulations on how people or groups could be jointly fined or exempted from fines based on their participation in financing terrorism and the proliferation of WMDs.
Organizations could police themselves and adjust the criteria on how turning oneself in or admitting guilt would reduce criminal sentences, the ministry said.
Additional reporting by Chung Li-hua
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