I. EUROPEAN UNION
NICARAGUA
- On 09 October 2023, Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2127 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The statement of reasons is updated as regards six (6) natural persons and one entity listed in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 for ‘repression against civil society and democratic opposition, and for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua’.
IRAN
- On 09 October 2023, Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2126 amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Iran was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Annex II to Decision 2010/413/CFSP is amended, under the heading ‘I. Persons and entities engaged in nuclear-related or ballistic missile-related activities and persons and entities supporting the Government of Iran’, updating the entry for Iran Composites Institute (alias Composites Research Laboratory (CRL)).
SUDAN
Council Regulation (EU) 2023/2147 concerning restrictive measures in relation to activities undermining stability and political transition in Sudan was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 9 October 2023.
NIGER
- On 23 October 2023, Council Regulation (EU) 2023/2406 adopting restrictive measures in view of the situation in Niger was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/2287 setting out a framework for targeted restrictive measures in view of the situation in Niger. The Decision imposes a freezing of funds and economic resources and a prohibition on making funds and economic resources available to certain natural or legal persons, entities or bodies responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Niger, undermine constitutional order, democracy and the rule of law, in particular those responsible for the arbitrary arrest of democratically elected authorities of Niger, or which constitute serious violations of human rights or abuses or violations of applicable provisions of international humanitarian law in Niger, and against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them. The natural or legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures are listed in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2023/2287.
- On 23 October 2023, Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2287 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Niger was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
In view of the seriousness of the situation, which constitutes a threat to international peace and security in the region, it is appropriate to establish a specific framework of restrictive measures against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Niger, undermine the constitutional order, democracy and the rule of law, in particular those responsible for the arbitrary arrest of democratically elected authorities of Niger, or which constitute serious violations of human rights or abuses or violations of applicable provisions of international humanitarian law in Niger, and against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them.
GUINEA
- On 23 October 2023, Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2227 amending Decision 2010/638/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Guinea was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
- On 25 October 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/638/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Guinea. On the basis of a review of Decision 2010/638/CFSP, these restrictive measures should be extended until 27 October 2024.
BURUNDI
- On 23 October 2023, Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2228 amending Decision 2015/1763 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Burundi was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
- On 1 October 2015, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2015/1763 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Burundi. It follows from the review of Decision (CFSP) 2015/1763 that the restrictive measures should be extended until 31 October 2024.
MYANMAR/BURMA
- On 26 October 2023, Council implementing regulation (EU) 2023/2435 implementing regulation (EU) No 401/2013 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar/Burma was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The Council has reviewed the restrictive measures concerning entry 84 of Section A and entry 17 of Section B of the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 401/2013. On the basis of that review, those entries should be amended. In addition, on the basis of updated information received, the entry for one person listed in that Annex should be amended.
- On 26 October 2023, Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2422 of 26 October 2023 amending Decision 2013/184/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar/Burma was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
- On 26 October 2023, Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2228 amending Decision 2015/1763 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Burundi was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
With regard to entry 84 of section a and entry 17 of section b of the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in the Annex to Decision 2013/184/CFSP, the measures in Articles 5(1) and 6(1) of that Decision apply until 29 October 2023. On the basis of a mid-term review of Decision 2013/184/CFSP, the restrictive measures concerning those two entries should be extended until 30 April 2024.
REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
- On 26 October 2023, Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2423 amending Decision 2010/573/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
On the basis of a review of decision 2010/573/CFSP, the restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova should be extended until 31 October 2024. After six months, the Council will review the situation with regard to the restrictive measures.
ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda
- On 23 October 2023, Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2231 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida and individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 contains a requirement to review the restrictive measures provided for therein at regular intervals and at least every 12 months. On the basis of a review of that Decision, the restrictive measures should be extended until 31 October 2024.
II. UNITED STATES
NARCOTICS
As of 3 October 2023, OFAC, pursuant to Executive Order 14059 , has added to the SDN list twenty-eight (28) persons and entities involved in “the international proliferation of illicit drugs, including a China-based network responsible for the manufacture and distribution of tons of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and MDMA precursors”.
OFFSHORE OIL INDUSTRY
- On 12 October 2023, OFAC, by virtue of Executive Order 14024 , added two (2) new entities to the SDN list, “for operating or having operated in the maritime sector of the economy of the Russian Federation”.
TERRORISM
- On 18 October 2023, OFAC, pursuant to Executive Order 13224, imposed sanctions on ten (10) key members of the terrorist group Hamas.
IRAN
As of 18 October 2023, OFAC, pursuant to Executive Order 13382 , has added to the SDN list eleven (11) individuals, eight (8) entities, and one (1) vessel based in Iran, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and Venezuela that are enabling Iran’s destabilising ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programmes.
BALKANS
Effective 20 October 2023 OFAC, pursuant to Executive Order 14033, all property and interests in property of Milorad Dodik’s family that are located in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entity owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons is also blocked.
III. UNITED KINGDOM
IRAQ
- On 6 October 2023, the UK Government, pursuant to The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/707) removed one natural person, Walid Hamid Tawfiq AL-TIKRITI, from the UK Sanctions List (“UKSL List”).
IRAN
- On 18 October 2023, the UK Government, under the Iran (Nuclear) sanctions regime, transferred 78 UN sanctioned designations to UK autonomous sanctions.
- On 19 October 2023, the UK Government, under the Iran (Nuclear) sanctions regime, removed 6 members from the UK Sanctions List (“UKSL List”).
- On 20 October 2023, the UK Government, under the Iran (Nuclear) sanctions regime, made an amendment to the UK Sanctions List (“UKSL List”).
HAITI
Dated 23 October 2023, the British Government, under the Haiti sanctions regime, made an amendment to the UK Sanctions List (“UKSL List”).
REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Dated 26 October 2023, the British Government, under the Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions regime two (2) persons were added to the UK Sanctions List (“UKSL List”), under the Iran (Nuclear) sanctions regime four (4) amendments were made and under the Russia sanctions regime two amendments were made to the UK Sanctions List (“UKSL List”).
LIBYA
Dated 17 October 2023, the UK Government, under the Libya sanctions regime made one amendment to the UK Sanctions List (“UKSL List”).
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In Madrid, 31 October 2023
International Trade and Sanctions Department
