United Nations Security Council Resolution 1904, adopted unanimously on 17 December 2009, after reiterating its "unequivocal condemnation" of Osama bin Laden, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda for "ongoing and multiple criminal terrorist acts", the Council adopted new measures to its decade-old regime of sanctions on the groups and others associated with them.

[1] Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council expressed concern at the increase in kidnappings and hostage-takings by individuals or groups for political gain or with the aim of raising funds.

It added further measures in addition to those in Resolution 1267 (1999), including Member States to permit the addition to frozen accounts "of any payment in favour of listed individuals, groups, undertakings or entities", provided that such payments were already subject to earlier measures.

The council made the Sanctions Committee aware of the need for exemptions on humanitarian grounds to be carried out transparently.

The council, in Resolution 1904, established an Office of the Ombudsperson for an initial period of 18 months to deal with delisting issues.