The European Union extended restrictive measures on individuals and entities in Myanmar until April 30, 2022, the European Council announced in an April 29 news release. The sanctions were originally enacted in response to a military coup in the Southeast Asian nation and subsequent violence against peaceful protesters along with human rights atrocities committed against the Rohingya population and other ethnic minorities. Covering individuals and entities associated with the Myanmar Armed Forces, the restrictions include an arms embargo, export ban on dual-use goods for use by the military, and export restrictions on communications-monitoring equipment.
U.S. and Western sanctions against Syria are worsening the country's humanitarian crisis and should be lifted, Russia, China and Iran told the United Nations Security Council April 28. China urged all countries imposing sanctions against Syria “to immediately lift these restrictions, as they are deeply affecting the Syrian people,” according to a readout of the UNSC meeting. Iran also called for the “immediate removal of sanctions that weaponize food and medicine.” Russia said Syria must solve its issues “without any outside interference.” The U.S. highlighted its recent increases in humanitarian support to Syria and said Russia is partially responsible for blocking U.N. aid deliveries to Syria.
The Treasury Department applauded the United Kingdom’s enactment of its new anti-corruption sanctions regime this week (see 2104260019), saying the authority will allow the two countries to work together more closely on global sanctions issues. “U.S. sanctions are more likely to compel changes in behavior and disrupt threatening activities when pursued in concert with our allies,” Treasury said April 26, adding that sanctions can “incentivize businesses to adopt a more proactive corporate risk and due diligence approach.” But the agency also stressed that sanctions are just “one tool,” and the U.S. will continue to provide guidance and “engagement” to industry. “The United States looks forward to continuing our collaboration with the United Kingdom and other allies to defend human rights, support good governance, and impose tangible and significant costs on those who engage in corruption,” Treasury said.
The European Union announced that North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Iceland and Norway aligned themselves with the bloc's decision to sanction 11 individuals and four entities under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, in an April 27 news release. The 15 designations, along with the sanctioning of four Russian individuals in early March, constitute the first major listings under the new human rights sanctions regime and include individuals and entities from China, North Korea, Libya, Russia, South Sudan and Eritrea (see 2103220024). In its first step against Eritrea since fighting began over Ethiopia's Tigray region, the EU sanctioned the nation's National Security Office for extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests. The other sanctions target a Chinese entity, the Central Public Prosecutor's Office in North Korea and the Kaniyat militia in Libya.
The United Kingdom's Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation April 26 published a list of 22 individuals subject to an asset freeze under the new global anti-corruption sanctions regime. The individuals are from across the globe in places such as the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Central America. Included on the list are three South African Gupta brothers, Ajay, Atul and Rajesh, for their corrupt relationship with former South African President Jacob Zuma. The brothers now live in the UAE, according to OFSI.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control on April 26 sanctioned one current and one former Guatemalan official for corruption. The designations target Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara, the former chief of staff for the Alvaro Colom presidential administration, and Felipe Alejos Lorenzana, an elected delegate to Guatemala’s Congress.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control amended its Somalia Sanctions Regulations and reissued them “in their entirety” to provide more guidance, general licenses and statements of licensing policy. The regulations outline new provisions surrounding blocked property, sanctions evasion attempts and new definitions to help industry comply with the sanctions. The new and revised general licenses authorize a range of activities, including certain investments, transactions related to legal payments and certain activities by the U.S. government. The new regulations take effect April 28.
The United Nations Security Council on April 22 renewed the mandate of its committee monitoring nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The committee, which oversees the implementation of U.N. efforts to prevent trade in dangerous weapons to nonstate actors, was extended until Feb. 28, 2022.
The United Kingdom's Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation published guidance to individuals, entities and nongovernmental organizations on the recently passed anti-corruption sanctions, the agency said in an April 26 news release. The sanctions, which came into force April 26, cover individuals guilty of “serious corruption,” which includes bribery or misappropriation of property.
The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation last week published a blog post on its licensing process. The post provides guidance on best practices when submitting a license, which licenses OSFI prioritizes, how the agency’s procedures and licenses have changed under the U.K.’s newly implemented sanctions regimes, and several “top tips” for license applicants.