Foreign minister Verhagen welcomes the introduction of an independent United Nations Ombudsperson to improve the legal protection of people who are on the UN sanctions lists.

The new appointment is the consequence of the decision of the UN Security Council to improve listing and delisting procedures. Mr Verhagen believes that this is important: ‘Counterterrorist activities must comply with human rights. That is why the Netherlands and a number of like-minded countries have lobbied for better legal protection and more transparent UN procedures’.

To prevent terrorist attacks, every country in the world is required to freeze the bank accounts and financial assets of listed organisations and individuals, who are also subject to a travel ban. From now on, individuals and organisations who believe that they have been wrongly listed may petition the independent Ombudsperson, who will assess the case and issue a recommendation to the relevant Security Council sanctions committee.



Comments/Questions? Email netherlands@un.int