On July 14, 2021, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) was passed unanimously by the US Senate. It now moves to the House, where it is expected to pass easily – a previous version of the bill passed 406-3 in September 2020. The UFLPA reverses the previously applied burden of proof, creating a presumption … Continue Reading
The new EU regulation on export control of dual use goods has been published in the EU official journal. It means that the upgraded controls over exports of dual use items will enter into force on September 9, 2021. Continue reading below our previous analysis of the details of this new regulation and all changes … Continue Reading
On 12 April, the Council of the EU decided to extend sanctions in response to serious human rights violations in Iran until 13 April 2022 and designated 8 individuals and 3 prisons responsible for human right violations. Please contact us with any questions. … Continue Reading
On 3 March, the Council of the EU decided to prolong sanctions against individuals responsible for the misappropriation of Ukrainian state fund. On 12 March, the Council of the EU decided to extend sanctions against those involved in compromising Ukraine’s territorial integrity. On 12 March, the Council of the EU decided to revoke the sanctions … Continue Reading
On 24 March 2021, the European Parliament officially accepted the new EU regulation on the Union regime for export controls of dual use goods. The finally accepted version of new EU export control rules is the result of the year long negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU that has been … Continue Reading
The latest edition of our transatlantic export controls and sanctions wrap-up is now available. In this publication, we look at the shifting regulatory framework for international trade compliance on both sides of the Atlantic. In this issue, we cover:… Continue Reading
The Council of the EU has decided to prolong the application of its sanctions against persons responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran until 13 April 2019. (Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/568)… Continue Reading
On 4 January 2018, OFAC designated five Iran-based entities “subordinate to a key element of Iran’s ballistic missile program”. OFAC designated these entities pursuant to EO 13382 for being owned or controlled by Iran’s Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG). The SBIG is listed in the Annex to EO 13382 and is currently sanctioned by the … Continue Reading
On 20 December 2017, President Trump issued EO 13818, authorising the imposition of financial sanctions against designated persons determined to be directly or indirectly engaged in certain human rights abuses or corrupt acts around the world. OFAC subsequently released new Frequently Asked Questions and published updated designations.… Continue Reading
On 6 December 2017, the Venezuela (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2017 entered into force in the UK. This regulation implements Council Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 of 13 November 2017 and provides for the imposition of restrictive measures on persons or entities considered to be involved in undermining democratic principles and the rule of law, as … Continue Reading
On 22 January 2018, the EU froze the assets of seven Venezuelan officials, notably including the Minister for Interior, the head of the Intelligence Service, the head of the National Electoral Council and the President of the Supreme Court of Justice. These individuals are considered by the EU to be “involved in the non-respect of … Continue Reading
House lawmakers introduced a new bill, the Korean Interdiction and Modernization of Sanctions Act (H.R. 1644), that would expand existing sanctions targeting trade with the North Korean regime. Further, two new Iran sanctions bills were introduced in the House and Senate – the Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act (H.R. 1698) and the … Continue Reading
In a press release published on 6 March 2017, the EU informs the Democratic Republic of Congo that it remains ready to impose new targeted sanctions as a result of the serious human rights violations that have recently occurred in Congo, the refusal of President Joseph Kabila to stand down at the end of his … Continue Reading
UK Parliamentarians will be voting on the introduction of unilateral sanctions targeting human rights violators, under similar provisions as are in force in the US under the Magnitsky Act. Should the Magnitsky Agreement be passed, it would empower the UK government and private parties to apply to the UK High Court for the UK assets … Continue Reading
On 6 July 2016, the US Treasury Department’s Offce of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added Kim Jong Un and 10 high-ranking officials of the North Korean government, and five North Korean entities, to the agency’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. The action follows the recent release of the US State Department’s “Report on Serious Human Rights Abuses … Continue Reading
The restrictive measures impose an asset freeze and travel ban on the listed individuals and entities and also ban exports of any apparatus with the potential to be used for internal repression or telecommunication monitoring. The EU’s sanctions relating to Iranian human rights concerns did not fall under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and so were not part … Continue Reading
OFAC has issued new regulations (at 31 C.F.R. Part 554) implementing the President’s Executive Order 13712, of 22 November 2015, imposing sanctions against Burundi. The sanctions consist of measures blocking property and interests in property of persons listed in or designated pursuant to Executive Order 13712, published in the Federal Register and incorporated into OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked … Continue Reading
The EU sanctions relating to human rights concerns in Iran did not fall under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and so were not part of the group of sanctions lifted in January this year. As such, the EU Council have now released a notice informing the 20 individuals that are subject to human … Continue Reading
On 14 October, the European Commission announced a new trade and investment strategy for the European Union: “Trade for All: Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy.” The strategy consists of a number of initiatives which are grouped under the headings of effectiveness, transparency, values and the EU’s programme of negotiations. As part of … Continue Reading
