Financial Crime World

Tanzania’s Anti-Terrorism Laws Meet International Standards

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - A comprehensive assessment has concluded that Tanzania’s anti-terrorism laws meet international standards, particularly in regards to financing and organizing terrorist activities.

Comprehensive Assessment

The assessment, conducted by an independent team of experts, evaluated the country’s laws against 12 criteria set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The criteria assess a country’s ability to prevent and combat terrorism financing, as well as its capacity to investigate and prosecute related offenses.

Progress Made in Strengthening Anti-Terrorism Laws

According to the report, Tanzania has made significant progress in strengthening its anti-terrorism laws. The country’s Penal Code of Offences Act (POTA) defines property broadly enough to cover all sorts of assets, including bank accounts, making it easier to seize and freeze terrorist funds. Additionally, the POTA provides for monetary penalties for individuals and corporate entities involved in terrorism financing.

Key Provisions

  • Property definition: The POTA defines property broadly enough to cover all sorts of assets, including bank accounts.
  • Monetary penalties: The POTA provides for monetary penalties for individuals and corporate entities involved in terrorism financing.
  • Sanctions against individuals: Section 14 of the POTA provides for sanctions against individuals.

Deficiencies Identified

However, the assessment did identify some deficiencies, including:

  • Clearer provisions needed: Clarify how to prosecute accomplices and organizers of terrorism financing offenses.
  • Mental element of offense not explicitly provided: The country’s laws do not explicitly provide for the mental element of the offense, although the concept of inference from objective circumstances is accepted.

Conclusion

Overall, the assessment concluded that Tanzania has made significant progress in strengthening its anti-terrorism laws, but there are still some areas that require improvement.