On April 15, 2024, Canada announced further amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations (the “Regulations”). These amendments list an additional 21 individuals under Schedule 1 of the Regulations in response to ongoing human rights violations in Belarus. The amendments took effect on April 12, 2024. The announcement follows a visit by the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, to Ottawa. The individuals targeted are current and former senior government officials involved in human rights abuses…

On March 1, 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced further import restrictions on diamonds and diamond-jewelry-related products from Russia. The amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (the “Regulations”) prohibit any person in Canada and any Canadian outside of Canada from purchasing, importing, or acquiring certain diamonds mined or produced in Russia that are exported, processed and/or polished in a third country. The Regulations entered into force on February 29, 2024. The amendments…

On February 20, 2024, Canada enacted new sanctions regulations under the Special Economic Measures Act in response to gross and systematic human rights violations and corruption in Guatemala. The Special Economic Measures (Guatemala) Regulations (the “Regulations”) designate four individuals and entered into force on February 16, 2024. The individuals listed in the Schedule to the Regulations are public officials that are alleged to have committed gross human rights violations, engaged in activities that directly or…