EU proposes more sanctions modifications to boost humanitarian assistance

The European Union is proposing further modifications of its sanctions framework related to humanitarian assistance, after announcing an important exception to its terrorism sanctions regime in February to allow transactions with listed individuals and entities engaged in humanitarian work.

The Council of the European Union made the following latest proposals, 4 April:

‘To ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or to support other activities that support basic human needs, it is appropriate to introduce an exemption from asset-freeze measures applicable to, and from the restrictions on making funds and economic resources available to, natural or legal persons, entities or bodies designated under Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999, for the benefit of actors referred to in UNSCR 2664 (2022), organisations and agencies to which the Union has granted the Humanitarian Partnership Certificate, organisations and agencies which are certified or recognised by a Member State, and Member States’ specialised agencies.

‘Furthermore, the Council considers that the existing derogation mechanism for those organisations and actors involved in humanitarian activities that cannot benefit from that exemption should be amended. ‘The Council also considers that a derogation mechanism should apply instead of the exemption in cases where the Council has determined that scrutiny by national competent authorities is required due to a higher risk that funds or economic resources provided would be misused for purposes other than humanitarian assistance.’

On 19 February, the Council modified the EU framework on restrictive measures to combat terrorism, by introducing a humanitarian exception to the asset freeze measures for an initial duration of 12 months.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401025