The U.S. designation of Hizbul Mujahideen refers to two overlapping actions by the U.S. government: the State Department’s designation of Hizbul Mujahideen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in August 2017, and the Treasury-linked designation of its leader, Syed Salahuddin, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on June 26, 2017, under Executive Order 13224.1National Counterterrorism Center. Hizbul Mujahideen2U.S. Department of State. Foreign Terrorist Organizations3Federal Register. EO 13224 Designation of Hizbul Mujahideen as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Together, these designations make it a federal crime to give the group material support, keep its members and representatives out of the country, and require U.S. banks to freeze any assets in which it has an interest.
What Hizbul Mujahideen Is
Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) formed in September 1989 in the Kashmir Valley and has operated since then as an armed group whose stated goal is separating Jammu and Kashmir from India and merging it with Pakistan. Salahuddin has led the group since June 1990 from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, while operations occur mainly on the Indian-administered side of the Line of Control. The group targets Indian security forces, government officials, and politicians, and has also attacked civilians.1National Counterterrorism Center. Hizbul Mujahideen That conduct is what the U.S. designations respond to.
Criminal Penalties for Material Support
Anyone in the United States or otherwise subject to U.S. jurisdiction who knowingly provides material support or resources to Hizbul Mujahideen commits a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2339B. Material support is defined broadly and covers money, property, lodging, training, expert advice or assistance, weapons, false documents, communications equipment, and personnel. A conviction carries up to 20 years in prison, and if a death results, up to life.4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 2339B – Providing Material Support or Resources to Foreign Terrorist Organizations The statute carves out only two categories: medicine and religious materials.2U.S. Department of State. Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Immigration Bars for Members and Supporters
Foreign nationals who are members or representatives of Hizbul Mujahideen are inadmissible to the United States, and in certain circumstances removable if already here.2U.S. Department of State. Foreign Terrorist Organizations The inadmissibility rules reach further than formal membership. They cover anyone who has engaged in “terrorist activity” as defined at 8 U.S.C. § 1182, which includes soliciting funds or recruits for the group, gathering information on potential targets, or providing material support.5Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 8 USC 1182 – Inadmissible Aliens
A narrow duress exemption exists. The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security can waive the material-support bar for applicants who provided support in response to a reasonably perceived threat of serious harm.6U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Terrorism-Related Inadmissibility Grounds (TRIG) – Situational Exemptions The waiver is not available to anyone currently engaged in, or likely to engage in, terrorist activity after entry.
Frozen Assets and Bank Obligations
U.S. financial institutions that discover funds in which Hizbul Mujahideen or its agents have an interest must freeze those assets and report them to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).2U.S. Department of State. Foreign Terrorist Organizations Because Salahuddin and the group are also designated under Executive Order 13224, any transaction or dealing by a U.S. person involving their property or interests is prohibited, and blocked property must be reported to OFAC within 10 business days.7Office of Foreign Assets Control. Counter Terrorism Sanctions Institutions that knowingly fail to comply face civil penalties of $50,000 per violation or twice the amount of the underlying transaction, whichever is greater.4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 2339B – Providing Material Support or Resources to Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Related Designation by India
The U.S. designation is separate from India’s. India has listed Hizb-ul-Mujahideen as a designated terrorist organization under Section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which carries its own domestic consequences under Indian law.8Government of India – Ministry of Home Affairs. List of Organisations Designated Terrorist Organisations Under Section 35 The two regimes operate independently: an Indian listing does not trigger U.S. penalties, and the U.S. FTO designation is what governs conduct under U.S. jurisdiction.