Finland ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism on 28 June 2002

Prevention of financing of terrorism has become one of the priorities in the international co-operation against terrorism. The International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism is the first global treaty that requires making financing of terrorism punishable by appropriate penalties. The Convention requires that the States Parties make punishable the intentional and unlawful provision or collection of funds with the intention or knowledge that they will be used to carry out any of the terrorist offences listed in the Convention. Other essential provisions apply to extradition and judicial assistance.

The Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism is the most recent of the twelve treaties against terrorism concluded within the United Nations, related to, for example, safety of air and sea traffic, taking of hostages, crimes against persons who enjoy international protection and terrorist bomb attacks. The International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism differs from the previous treaties against terrorism in that it does not apply to violent acts aiming at producing serious personal injury or damage to property but focuses on transfers of assets necessary in preparing such acts. In comparison to earlier UN treaties, the new Convention lays more explicit emphasis on the prevention of terrorist acts.

The Convention was adopted at the UN General Assembly in 1999 and was internationally enforced on 10 April 2002. A total of 132 states have signed the Convention. It has been ratified by 37 states, of which seven are EU Member States (Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom).

Finland has now ratified all the twelve UN treaties against terrorism.

Additional information: Second Secretary Mikael Långström, tel 1-212-821-0255
Head of Unit Marja Lehto, tel 040 511 8429, 160 55726