The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the listing and re-listing of three organisations as terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (the Criminal Code).
The organisations that have been re-listed are:
Boko Haram – Boko Haram, formally named Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, follows an extreme interpretation of Islam which is anti-Western, promotes sectarian violence and targets as infidels and apostates those who do not agree with this interpretation. Boko Haram’s objective is the establishment of an Islamic state under Shariah law in Nigeria and beyond.
Islamic State – Islamic State is an Iraq and Syria-based Sunni extremist group and former al-Qa’ida affiliate that adheres to global jihadist ideology. Islamic State follows an extreme interpretation of Islam which is ant-Western, promotes sectorial violence and targets those that do not agree with its interpretations of Islam.
Another organisation, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has been listed as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code for the first time. ISWAP developed as a faction of listed terrorist organisation Boko Haram. ISWAP has engaged in terrorist attacks and kidnappings against a wide range of targets in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Under section 102.1A of the Criminal Code, the Committee may review listings of terrorist organisations and report its findings to each house of the Parliament within the 15 sitting day disallowance period.
Members of the public are welcome to make submissions to this review. Submissions should be provided no later than 5pm Friday, 4 September 2020.
