SYRIA: EU Council renews restrictive measures against the regime

Human Rights in the World

EU Council renews restrictive measures against the regime and its supporters

EU Council (28.05.2024) – The Council today extended EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime and its supporters until 1 June 2025, in view of the gravity of the deteriorating situation in Syria. Following the review, the Council also decided to remove five deceased persons and one other individual from the list.

The restrictive measures currently in place target a total of 316 persons and 86 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The Council also decided to extend the application of the humanitarian exemption introduced in February 2023 in view of the gravity of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, exacerbated by the earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria. This decision will ensure a continued timely delivery of humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs, and increase consistency across the EU restrictive measures and those adopted at UN level.

The Council remains deeply concerned about the situation in Syria. After more than 13 years, the conflict remains a source of suffering and instability for the Syrian people and the region. Against this background, the Council also recalls that the Syrian regime continues to pursue a policy of repression and violations of human rights. It is therefore appropriate and necessary to maintain the restrictive measures in place.

The Council keeps developments in the Syrian conflict under constant review, and can decide to renew sanctions, and amend the list of targeted entities or persons based on developments on the ground.

The European Union reiterates that the only path to sustainable peace for Syria is a political solution in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015).

Background

Sanctions on Syria were first introduced in 2011 in response to the violent repression of the civilian population by the Assad regime. The EU sanctions in place regarding Syria target the Assad regime and its supporters, as well as sectors of the economy from which the regime profits.

EU sanctions in place regarding Syria are not meant to impede the provision of humanitarian assistance to any part of the country. EU sanctions do not prohibit the export of food, medicines or medical equipment by the EU to Syria, and they do not target Syria’s healthcare system. The sanctions regime includes a wide range of humanitarian exceptions to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to any part of the country. Following the tragic earthquake of 6 February 2023, the already existing humanitarian exceptions were strengthened to further facilitate the speedy delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Syrian population.

The EU and its member states have mobilised over €35 billion since 2011, remaining the largest provider of international aid and delivering humanitarian, stabilisation and resilience assistance inside Syria and in neighbouring countries. Since 2017, the EU hosts yearly the Brussels Conference on ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the Region’ to keep Syria high on the international political agenda, to raise pledges for assistance to those in need, and to dialogue with Syrian civil society. This year’s edition took place just this Monday, reaffirming EU’s commitment to the Syrian people and Syria’s neighbours affected by the protracted crisis.

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