The European Commission has published detailed guidance on how coronavirus-related humanitarian aid can be sent to countries and areas around the world that are subject to EU sanctions including Syria.
This guidance note on Syria is the first in a series of comprehensive Q&As, which aims to give practical guidance on how to comply with EU sanctions when providing humanitarian aid, in particular medical assistance, to fight the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Commission.
It added that by clarifying the responsibilities and processes for the provision of this aid, this note should facilitate the task of humanitarian operators in Syria. It should speed up the channeling of equipment and assistance to fight the coronavirus pandemic in Syria. It is addressed to all actors involved in the supply of humanitarian aid, such as the competent authorities of EU Member States, which manage the implementation of EU sanctions, and public and private operators (donors, NGOs, banks and other actors involved in humanitarian activities), which must comply with EU sanctions when providing assistance.
"The European Commission is committed to doing everything in its power to respond to questions from humanitarian operators regarding their activities in sanctioned countries or areas. Humanitarian assistance can reach those in need, even with sanctions in place. The two things are not incompatible,” said Valdis Dombrovskis, executive vice-president for an Economy that Works for People.
For his part, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President for a Stronger Europe in the World Josep Borrell said, “Sanctions should not stand in the way nor impede the delivery of essential equipment and supplies necessary in the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The EU's sanctions therefore provide for humanitarian exemptions and are fully in line with all obligations under international law.”
In a related context, the European Union has imposed sanctions against eight businessmen and two entities for their ties to the Syrian regime. Eight prominent Syrian businessmen were added to the sanctions list as their “activities directly benefited the Assad regime, including projects located on lands expropriated from persons displaced by the conflict.”
The restrictive measures were introduced in 2011 and the list now has 277 individuals and 71 businesses subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze. The European sanctions are revised every year -- the next revision would be in June.
