EU Updates

October 14, 2019

EU creates Nicaragua sanctions program

Nicaragua: EU adopts conclusions and a framework for targeted sanctions

Today, the Council adopted a framework for targeted restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua.

This framework provides for the possibility of imposing targeted and individual sanctions against persons and entities responsible for human rights violations or abuses or for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Nicaragua, as well as persons and entities whose actions, policies or activities otherwise undermine democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua. Sanctions consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons, and an asset freeze for entities. In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed.

The Council also adopted the following conclusions on Nicaragua:

The European Union (EU) recalls its Council Conclusions of 21 January 2019, as well as various statements made since April 2018, in which it expressed its concern at the deteriorating political and social situation in Nicaragua and firmly condemned the repression by security forces and pro-government armed groups of political opponents, de

Link:

EU Notice

October 14, 2019

EU renews chemical weapons sanctions

Chemical weapons: Council renews EU sanctions regime for one year

The Council today extended restrictive measures by the EU addressing the use and proliferation of chemical weapons until 16 October 2020. These sanctions, which consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons, as well as an asset freeze for entities, currently apply to nine persons – five linked to the Syrian regime and four involved in the Salisbury attack – and one organisation, the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC), the Syrian regime’s principal entity for the development of chemical weapons.

On 15 October 2018, the Council adopted a horizontal sanctions regime to address the use and proliferation of chemical weapons as a follow-up to the conclusions of the European Council of 28 June 2018. This allows the EU to impose sanctions on persons and entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons anywhere, regardless of their nationality and location.

The restrictive measures target persons and entities who are directly responsible for the development and use of chemical weapons as well as those who provide financial, technical or material support, and those who assist, encourage or are associated with them.

This decision contributes to the EU’s efforts to counter t

Link:

EU Notice

October 9, 2019

October 8, 2019: EU, OFSI correct 3 counter terror designations

On Tuesday, UK regulators corrected 3 listings that had been made under the counter terrorism sanctions program under Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/24. As per OFSI’s notice:

2. On 9 January 2019, OFSI published a Notice which outlined that 2 individuals and 1 entity had been added to the consolidated list.

3. The update to the consolidated list on 8 October 2019 completes the additional information sections for these listings. Details of this correction can be found in the Annex to this Notice.

4. Assadollah Asadi, Saeid Hashemi Moghadam and the Directorate for Internal Security of the Iranian Ministry for Intelligence and Security are all still subject to an asset freeze.

Here are the corrected listings – individual:

1. ASADI, Assadollah

DOB: 22/12/1971. POB: Tehran, Iran Nationality: Iranian Passport Details: Iranian diplomatic passport number: D9016657 Other Information: EU listing only Listed on: 09/01/2019 Last Updated: ~~09/01/2019~~ 08/10/2019 Group ID: 13740.

2. HASHEMI MOGHADAM, Saeid

DOB: 06/08/1962. POB: Tehran, Iran Nationality: Iranian Passport Details: Passport number: D9016290, valid until 4.2.2019. Other Information: EU listing only Listed on: 09/01/2019 Last Updated: ~~09/01/2019~~ 08/10/2019 Group ID: 13741.

and entity:

1. DIRECTORATE FOR INTERNAL SECURITY OF THE IRANIAN MINISTRY FOR INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY

Other Information: EU listing only Listed on: 09/01/2019 Last Updated: ~~09/01/2019~~ 08/10/2019 Group ID: 13742.

The only real difference being the “Other Information” information.

Links:

OFSI Notice

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/24

October 3, 2019

EU updates arms export controls

Control of arms export: Council adopts conclusions, new decision updating the EU’s common rules and a revised user’s guide

The Council today adopted a decision amending the Council Common Position of 8 December 2008 on the control of arms exports, as well as a revised user’s guide. It also adopted conclusions on the review of the Common Position.

The Council decision takes account of a number of developments at both European Union and international level that have resulted in new obligations and commitments for member states since the adoption of the Common Position of 2008. These developments include in particular the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on 24 December 2014, which regulates the international trade in conventional arms. All member states are States Parties to the ATT. The ATT aims to establish the highest possible common international standards for regulating or improving the regulation of the international trade in conventional arms and to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in conventional arms and prevent their diversion.

In its conclusions, the Council recalls its commitment to strengthening the control of the export of military technology and equipment and to reinforce cooperation and promote convergence in the field of export of military technology and equipment within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. It does this through the setting, upholding and implementation of high common standards for the management of transfers of military technology and equipment by all member states.

The Council reaffirms that military equipment and technology should be traded in a responsible and accountable way. It renews its commitment to promote cooperation and convergence in member states’ policies to prevent the export of military technology and equipment which might be used for internal repression or international aggression, or contribute to regional instability.

Read the full text of the Council conclusions

Council decision amending Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment

User’s uide to Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment (updated)

Link:

EU Notice

September 30, 2019

September 27, 2019: EU, OFSI add 7 to Venezuela sanctions

On Friday, UK regulators implemented Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1586 by adding the following 7 individuals:

1. HURTADO,NestorBlanco

DOB: 26/09/1982. National Identification no: V-15222057 Position: Major in the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) Other Information: Has operated alongside officials in the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since at least December 2017 Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 Group ID: 13791.

2. MARRERO,RafaelRamonBlanco

DOB: 28/02/1968. National Identification no: V-6250588 Position: Deputy Director of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) and Division General of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 Group ID: 13792

3. CALDERON, Carlos

Position: Senior office holder (referred to as Commissioner, Director and Director General) in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 Group ID: 13793

4. MARRERO, Alexis Enrique Escalona

DOB: 12/10/1962. Position: Chief in Charge of the National Office Against Organized Crime and Terrorist Financing (ONDOFT) Other Information: National Commander of the National Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Command (Comando Nacional Antiextorsion y Secuestro (CONAS) between 2014 and 2017. Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 Group ID: 13794.

5. QUINTERO, Rafael Antonio Franco

DOB: 14/10/1973. National Identification no: V-11311672 Position: Agent in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) Other Information: Head of Investigations at the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) between at least 2017 and December 2018 Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 Group ID: 13795.

6. ARTEAGA, Alexander Enrique Granko

DOB: 25/03/1981. National Identification no: V-14970215 Position: Head (Director) of the Special Affairs Division (DAE) of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 Group ID: 13796.

7. MIJARES, Hannover Esteban Guerrero

DOB: 14/01/1971. Other Information: Head of Investigations at the Directorate- General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) from at least April 2019 to August 2019. As Head of Investigations he supervised the DGCIM facility in Boleita. Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 Group ID: 13797.

to their Venezuela sanctions program.

And the EU issued a notice:

Venezuela: EU adds 7 members of the security and intelligence forces to sanctions list

The Council has added 7 members of the Venezuelan security and intelligence forces under restrictive measures. The measures include a travel ban and an asset freeze. The persons listed are involved in torture and other serious violations of human rights. Four of them are linked to the death of Captain Acosta Arévalo.

Today’s decision brings to 25 the total number of individuals under sanctions in view of the situation in Venezuela. It is a direct follow-up to the declaration issued by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on 16 July 2019 where the EU indicated that it was ready to start work towards applying targeted measures for those members of the security forces involved in torture and other serious violations of human rights.

and the High Representative issued a statement:

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on Venezuela

The people of Venezuela continue to face a dramatic situation. The regional impact of the crisis is unprecedented, with severe risks for regional stability. On the political front, the dismantlement of institutional checks and balances has eroded democracy and the rule of law, while repression, including against members of the National Assembly, and serious human rights violations take place with impunity. This grave situation, as reported by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN HCHR), cannot be ignored.

In this context, and as stated in its Declaration of 16 July, the EU has decided to apply additional targeted measures against seven members of the security and intelligence forces involved in torture and other serious human rights violations. The EU reaffirms its backing for the UN HCHR in her efforts to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Venezuelans. In this respect it supports the steps taken towards ensuring a permanent presence of OHCHR in Venezuela and the free access of UN Special procedures to the country. The EU underlines the need to fully implement the totality of the recommendations from the UN HCHR report.

The EU expresses its concern at the temporary suspension of the Oslo facilitated talks and calls on the parties to return to an inclusive, credible and serious negotiation on the basis of the previously agreed agenda. The EU reiterates its willingness to contribute to promote the enabling conditions for such a process, through the International Contact Group, including by working with other relevant actors in the international community to provide a supporting framework.

A negotiated transition leading to transparent and internationally monitored presidential elections, the reinstitution of the public powers and a package of guarantees enabling political coexistence are essential elements to overcome the crisis.

The EU confirms its readiness to work on further targeted measures to foster such a negotiated transition. At the same time it recalls that its targeted restrictive measures do not affect the population and can be reversed in light of progress made towards the restoration of democracy, rule of law and human rights in Venezuela.

In the meantime, addressing the humanitarian and social emergency in Venezuela is urgent and long overdue. The EU considers vital the increase and acceleration of a coordinated assistance, both inside and outside the country. In this context, the EU will hold an International Solidarity Conference on the Venezuelan Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Brussels end of October. This initiative will be co-hosted with UNHCR and IOM, in close articulation with the Quito process.

Links:

EU Notice

EU Declaration

OFSI Notice

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1586

September 24, 2019

September 23, 2019: EU, OFSI amend Nourredine Adam CAR sanctions designation

On Monday, UK officials implemented Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1574 by amending the following Central African Republic sanctions listing:

1. ADAM,Nourredine

DOB: (1) –/–/1970. (2) –/–/1969. (3) –/–/1971. (4) 01/01/1970. (5) 01/01/1971 POB: (1) Ndele, Central African Republic (2) Algenana, Sudan a.k.a: (1) ADAM, Mahamat, Nouradine (2) ADAM, Nourreddine (3) ADAM, Nourreldine (4) ADAM, Nureldine (5) ABDALLAH, Mohamed Adam Brema Nationality: (1) Central African Republic (2) Sudan Passport Details: (1) D00001184 (CAR passport) (2) no: P04838205 (Passport issued under the name of Mohamed Adam Brema Abdallah) National identification no: 202-2708-8368 (Sudan). Address: (1) Birao, Central African Republic. (2) Sudan. Position: a) General, b) Minister for Security, c) Director General of the Extraordinary Committee for the Defence of Democratic Achievements Other Information: Noureddine is one of the original leaders of the Seleka. He has been identified as both a General and the President of one of the armed rebel groups of the Seleka, the Central PJCC, a group formally known as the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace and whose acronym is also acknowledged as CPJP. He is also a former head of the “Fundamental” splinter group of the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP/F). Listed on: 24/06/2014 Last Updated: ~~04/12/2014~~ 23/09/2019 Group ID: 12999.

Links:

OFSI Notice

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1574

September 18, 2019

September 17, 2019: EU, OFSI amend 37 Ukraine (sovereignty and territorial integrity) sanctions designations

Yesterday, UK officials implemented Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1403 by amending the details for 19 individuals and 18 entities sanctioned under the Ukraine (Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity) sanctions program.

Links:

OFSI Notice

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1403