5 things to know about Bill that bans funding of weapons of mass destruction
The Weapons of Mass Destruction constitute a class of weaponry (nuclear, chemical and biological) with the potential to produce in a single moment an enormous destructive effect capable to kill millions of civilians, jeopardize the natural environment, and fundamentally alter the lives of future generations through their catastrophic effect.
Total Views |
New Delhi, Aug 2: In a major development, Parliament passed a bill which seeks to ban funding of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and also empower the Centre to freeze, seize or attach financial assets and economic resources of people engaged in such activities.
Here are five facts to know about the Bill-
1. The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022, was approved in Lok Sabha in April this year during Budget Session.
2. The bill was piloted by Dr S Jaishankar, the Minister for External Affairs.
3. According to the UN, WMDs constitute a class of weaponry (nuclear, chemical and biological) with the potential to produce in a single moment an enormous destructive effect capable to kill millions of civilians, jeopardize the natural environment, and fundamentally alter the lives of future generations through their catastrophic effect.
4. Notably, the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, passed in 2005, only banned manufacture of weapons of mass destruction.
5. The Bill seeks to insert a new Section 12A in the existing law which states that "no person shall finance any activity which is prohibited under this Act, or under the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1947 or any other relevant Act for the time being in force, or by an order issued under any such Act, in relation to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems."
On the “unanimous support” for WMD Bill, EAM Dr S Jaishankar said, “All members have recognised that terrorism is a serious threat, that weapons of mass destruction are a serious threat, that there is a gap in the law. Currently, the law covers only trading; it does not cover financing. This gap needs to be filled because Recommendation 7 of the Financial Action Task Force requires all countries, including us, to ensure that financing for WMD-related activities is prohibited.”
“Keeping in mind the lacunae of the current law, we have brought this amendment,” he said amid the ruckus by Opposition.