OTTAWA, July 5, 2011 — The Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, todayannounced that the Government of Canada has listed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as a terrorist group, pursuant to the Criminal Code of Canada.
“Fighting terrorism is one of the most important challenges we face as anation. The threat is real, persistent, and evolving, and we remain vigilant inconfronting it,” said Minister Toews. “Listing Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, an organization that has claimedresponsibility for multiple suicide attacks in Pakistanand the attempted bombing of Times Square in New York City in May 2010, is an essentialpart of our efforts to combat terrorism and keep our communities safe.”
The decision to list the TTP meets the legal threshold set out in the CriminalCode, which requires the existence of reasonable grounds to believe thatthe entity has knowingly participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity oris knowingly acting on behalf of, at the direction of, or in association withsuch an entity.
The listing of terrorist entities is an essential part of efforts to combatterrorism, as it facilitates the prosecution of supporters of terrorism andplays a key role in countering the financing of terrorist activities. Forexample, the listing prohibits all persons in Canada as well as every Canadianabroad from knowingly dealing with assets owned or controlled by the TTP. Inaddition, it is an offence to knowingly participate in, contribute to, orfacilitate certain activities of a listed entity. Other related offencesare set out in the Criminal Code.
The listing process requires extensive analysis of security and/or criminalinformation and intelligence to ensure that the decision to list meets thelegal threshold.
The names of listed entities under the Criminal Code can be found on thePublic Safety Canada Web site at www.publicsafety.gc.ca under National Security, Listed Entities.
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
