Ross Denton, Trade partner and lead on our Brexit Steering Committee, gave evidence today to the House of Lords EU External Affairs Sub-Committee as part of their inquiry on UK sanctions policy after Brexit, alongside Maya Lester QC from Brick Court Chambers. Mr Denton explained the importance of the UK’s current role in developing EU sanctions, which “forms a major backbone of the EU’s sanctions regime”. He noted that while the UK will have the…
On 17 July 2017, The European Council (the “Council”) added a further 16 persons to the list of persons targeted by EU’s Syrian sanctions regime. These persons include 8 scientists and 8 high ranking military officials, each involved in the development and use of chemical weapons against the Syrian civilian population. This decision brings the total number of persons being targeted by a travel ban and asset freeze to 255. In addition, 67 entities are…
The European Council (the “Council”) today introduced restrictions on the export and supply to Libya of inflatable boats (dinghies) and outboard motors to further disrupt the activity of people smugglers and human traffickers. The restrictions, adopted on 17 July 2017, will allow EU member states to legally prevent the export or supply of these goods to Libya where there are reasonable grounds to believe that they will be used in such activity. The restrictions will…
The European Council (the “Council”) has adopted conclusions relating to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (the “DPRK”). Therein, the Council expresses concern about the regime’s activities to raise hard currency to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. While the Council notes that EU sanctions against the DPRK are amongst the most restrictive, it states that it will consider further appropriate responses in consultation with key partners and in line with UN Security Council…