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Licensed NGOs and societies in Bahrain will now be able to access a UN database of blacklisted entities, groups and individuals as part of efforts to combat money-laundering and terror-funding.
A special password will be provided to review the decisions issued against those on the banned list, said a government official.
A Social Development Ministry employee will co-ordinate with various NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and societies in the kingdom, and train them in how to access the database at https://scsanctions.un.org/4q55b-en-all.html, said ministry assistant under-secretary Najwa Janahi.
Speaking during a ‘majlis’ held at the Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society headquarters in Mahooz, she said that the UN Security Council decision to allow access the database has been circulated among all the concerned government departments, including the Central Bank of Bahrain and the Industry and Commerce Ministry.
“We have more than 600 societies and organisations under our umbrella with various focus-groups such as youth, women, economic, social, vocational and charity, among others,” said Ms Janahi.
“Bahrain has signed various international agreements and conventions, and the kingdom has always received high implementation ratings because we are committed to ensuring that all follow legal procedures and regulations and have the required permits and licences.”
The top official added that the ministry’s auditors and anti-money laundering department are exerting substantial efforts to ensure that the NGOs and societies volunteering their time and donating money to charitable causes don’t fall foul of the law.
The UN Security Council’s decision – to allow access to its blacklist – is a critical step and nations are expected to implement the measures taken against the specific entities, groups and individuals, said Ms Janahi.
The sanctions, taken to maintain or restore international peace and security, encompass a broad range of enforcement options that do not involve the use of armed force.
Today, there are 14 ongoing sanctions regimes which focus on supporting political settlement of conflicts, nuclear non-proliferation, and counter-terrorism.
Each regime is administered by a sanctions committee chaired by a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
There are 10 monitoring groups, teams and panels that support the work of 11 of the 14 sanctions committees.
“If there have been verdicts – related to money-laundering or terror-funding – issued against certain individuals listed in the database and a society discovers this verdict, such as frozen funds or other penalties, it is mandated to report this immediately to the Social Development Ministry.
“This individual can be either a member, a donor or a beneficiary but the societies are mandated to immediately report this to the ministry.
“We are in contact with the Foreign Ministry which will carry out its procedures depending on the nature of the verdict issued.
“There will be no legal questioning against the society if they immediately alert the ministry; however, there will be an issue if the discovery isn’t reported as it is mandatory.”
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