The US has created two major categories for action on terrorist organizations- FTO and SDGT.
The US has officially declared Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy terrorist organization TRF i.e. The Resistance Front as an official terrorist organization. Pahalgam had carried out a terrorist attack by this organization. This decision is a big message not only for India, but for the whole world. US Secretary Marco Rubio announced this effect in a statement released on Thursday. This statement released in writing discusses Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
Let us know what is the difference between FTO and SDGT terrorist organization? Which terrorist organizations are included in both these list and why?
Terrorism is one of the biggest global challenges today. Governments and international institutions of various countries make many laws and policies to deal with terrorism. The US has created two major categories for the identity of terrorist organizations and individuals and action on them- FTO and SDGT.
The purpose of these two categories is to prevent terrorism and create financial, legal and diplomatic pressure on the people and organizations associated with it. But it is important to know what is the difference between these two, who are included in it and why they are included.
What is Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)?
FTO i.e. foreign terrorist organizations are organizations nominated by the US State Ministry, which are located outside the US and whose activities fall under the category of terrorism. They are designated under Section 219 of “Immigration and Nationality Act” (INA) under the US law. America keeps an organization in this category only when these organizations are foreigners. Be involved in terrorist activities or has the ability to be involved in terrorism. Their activities should be a threat to the US citizens or the US national security (defense, foreign policy, economic interest).
After the FTO is declared, any kind of economic, technical or other cooperation with that organization becomes illegal for American citizens. Also, the organization’s property in America can be confiscated and its members are not allowed to enter America.
What is a special designing global Terrorist (SDGT)?
SDGT, a specially designated global terrorist, is nominated by the Office of Foreign Assets of the US Finance Ministry. SDGT can include not only organizations, but also individuals, companies, networks etc. The main objective of declaring SDGT is to prevent the economic activities of terrorists.
After the declaration of SDGT, all the assets and economic resources present in the US of that person, organization or company are confiscated. Also, it becomes illegal for American citizens and companies to do any kind of transaction with them. In order to include the SDGT list, it is not necessary that it is a threat to the organization or the person, but the involvement in terrorism globally is enough.
What is the main difference between FTO and SDGT?
- Both FTO and SDGT have been created for action on organizations and individuals associated with terrorism, but some major differences are as follows.
- The FTO is announced by the US State Ministry, while the SDGT is announced by the US Finance Ministry (OFAC).
- FTO mainly focuses on organizations, while SDGT may include individuals, organizations, companies, networks etc.
- Under the FTO, the members of the organization are prohibited from infiltration, economic transactions and property in the US. Property seizure and economic restrictions under SDGT are more widespread.
- FTO requires the organization to be foreign and the threat to the US, while SDGT is enough involvement in global terrorism.
Why are they included?
The main objective behind the inclusion of an organization or person in the FTO and SDGT list is to weaken terrorism economic, legal and diplomatically. When an organization or person is put in these lists, their property can be confiscated. Any kind of economic transaction with them becomes illegal. It becomes easy to take action against them internationally. Other countries are also motivated to take steps against such organizations and individuals. Funding and networking of terrorists have a direct impact.
Both FTO and SDGT are important tools of global fight against terrorism. Through these lists, economic, legal and social activities of terrorist organizations and individuals are banned. However, the process and effects of including these lists are different, but the final objective of both is to eliminate terrorism from the root. As a conscious citizen, we should also understand that in the fight against terrorism, not only military or police action, but economic and diplomatic pressure is equally important.
Also read: Why was America afraid of Nelson Mandela? Terrorist was told, had to take help of intelligence agency for arrest