Terror

Committee for Human Rights in North Korea
affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping. Another
section of the same chapter, Section 2332b(c), provides that attempts to commit terrorist acts
are punishable to the same extent as completed acts of terrorism, and that threats to commit
terrorist acts are punishable by ten years in prison.
The Treasury Department applies another definition of “terrorism” for purposes of Executive
Order 13,224, an authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act that allows
Treasury to block the assets and property of persons and entities engaging in, or providing
material support for, terrorism. 26 This executive order defines “terrorism” as “an activity that . . .
involves a violent act or an act dangerous to human life, property, or infrastructure; and [that]
appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; to influence the policy of
a government by intimidation or coercion; or to affect the conduct of a government by mass
destruction, assassination, kidnapping, or hostage-taking.” 27 This language is therefore similar to
the Criminal Code’s definition of “international terrorism.”
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) defines yet another term, “terrorist activity,” at
Section 212(a)(3)(B)(iii): 28
(iii) “Terrorist Activity” defined
As used in this chapter, the term “terrorist activity” means any activity
which is unlawful under the laws of the place where it is committed
(or which, if it had been committed in the United States, would be
unlawful under the laws of the United States or any State) and which
involves any of the following:
(I) The highjacking or sabotage of any conveyance (including
an aircraft, vessel, or vehicle).
(II) The seizing or detaining, and threatening to kill, injure, or
continue to detain, another individual in order to compel a
third person (including a governmental organization) to do or
26 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Pub. L. No. 95-223, 91 Stat. 1626 (as amended).
27 Exec. Order No. 13,224, 66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (Sep. 25, 2001).
28 Immigration and Nationality Act, Pub. L. No. 82-414, § 212(a)(3)(B)(ii) added by Pub. L. No. 101-649, § 601(a),
104 Stat. 5067 (as amended by Pub. L. No. 107-56, § 411(a)(1), 115 Stat. 345).
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