Terror State Bill

Why in news?

Independent MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar had moved The Declaration of Countries as Sponsor of Terrorism Bill, 2016, to create sanctions for citizens of countries that promote terror.

What are the provisions of the bill?

• It states that Pakistan propagates and harbours agents of international terror who have repeatedly attacked the territory and people of our country… (It) poses a continual risk to the peace and security of the region.
• The bill also provides for imposing legal, economic and travel sanctions on citizens of the neighbouring country.
• The bill seeks to prohibit citizens of such country, which is declared a terror state, including its Head of the State, from travelling in India.
• It also asks for prohibition on trade, receiving or making grants, financial remittances, investments and assets along with maritime activities and overflight over India.
• The bill states that immunity of officials of such countries shall be revoked and they shall not be offered immunity from any legal case in India.

What MHA says?

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is learnt to have conveyed its opposition to a Private Member’s Bill recently moved in the Rajya Sabha to declare countries like Pakistan a “terror state.”
• The proposed Bill cannot be accepted as it violates international relations under the Geneva Convention, according to MHA officials.
• Meanwhile, India and Pakistan recently extended their bilateral pact dealing with reducing the risk of nuclear weapon-related accidents, for a period of five years. The existing validity was up to February 20, 2017.
• We have diplomatic relations with the neighbouring country which includes High Commissions as well as trade relations.
• It will be not prudent to declare any country as a terror state as India is bound by international norms, said a senior government official.

• Parliament adjourned for the recess and will resume on March 9; there is a probability that the Bill might again be taken up for discussion.

Source: The Hindu, Indian Express