Australia announced the first designations under its recently created Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions law, targeting more than 30 Russian people for their role in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in 2009. “This will ensure that Australia does not become a safe haven for those already locked out of like-minded countries and their financial systems,” Australia’s foreign ministry said March 29. Australia said the announcement was just the first of “what will be ongoing sanctions” it will use under its law to target human rights abusers, which was passed in December (see 2112220008).

The EU updated its Russia sanctions guidance this week with new frequently asked questions, including several that clarify how it interprets its 50% rule and how asset freezes apply to entities owned by sanctioned people.

The U.K. amended one entry and corrected two others under its Russia sanctions regime, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation said March 25. The entry for Sovcomflot was amended to change its address. Entries for Oleg Yurievich Tinkov, founder of Tinkoff Bank, and Eugene Markovich Shvidler, former nonexecutive director of Evraz, were corrected.

The U.K. added three individuals and three entities to its Myanmar sanctions regime, in a March 25 notice. The individuals are Aung Moe Myint, Belarus' honorary consul to Myanmar; Htun Aung, member of the State Administration Council; and Aung Hlaing Oo, managing director of Myanmar Chemical & Machinery. The entities are Miya Win, Dynasty International and Myanmar Chemical & Machinery.

The U.K.'s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation added one entity to its cyber sanctions regime, in a March 24 notice. The Central Scientific Research Institute of Chemistry and Mechanics, based in Moscow, is now subject to an asset freeze. OFSI said the institute was responsible for a cyberattack on a petrochemical company in August 2017.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control designated six individuals in the United Arab Emirates for raising money on behalf of Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria. OFAC actions follow arrests in the UAE in September, which OFAC says "demonstrates the commitment of the Emirati government to using judicial measures and targeted financial sanctions to disrupt the flow of funds to these networks."

Japan imposed a new wave of restrictions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Japan is adding 24 individuals and 81 entities to its Russia sanctions regime, subjecting them to an asset freeze, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said March 25. It also banned the export of luxury goods to Russia, joining the EU and the U.K. in taking this action (see 2203150027). The sanctioned individuals include Andrey Patrushev, CEO of Gazprom; Sergei Ivanov, former chief of the presidential administration; and Igor Shuvalov, chairman of VEB.RF.

Australia on March 25 sanctioned two Russian entities and one North Korean entity that it said are helping North Korea evade sanctions and build up its missile program. The sanctions target the Russian Financial Society, Russia’s Commercial Bank Agrosoyuz and North Korea’s Korean Ungum Corp., which are helping North Korea violate U.N. Security Council resolution, Australia said. “Australia urges the Security Council to respond decisively to North Korea’s escalating behavior,” the country said. “We remain resolutely committed to sanctions enforcement.”

The U.K. added 59 new entries to its Russia sanctions regime and six new entries under its Belarus sanctions regime in response to the countries' military invasion of Ukraine. The March 24 moves from the U.K. Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation add to the unprecedented amount of restrictions placed on the nations following the assault.

The Office of Foreign Asset Control on March 24 updated two existing Russia-related general licenses and issued two new licenses. Updated License 6A authorizes certain transactions involving exports of agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices and COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment equipment, while updated License 17A authorizes certain imports of Russian alcoholic beverages, non-industrial diamonds or seafood. New License 20 authorizes certain transactions involving the official business of third-country diplomatic or consular missions in Russia, and new License 25 authorizes certain transactions involving "journalistic activities" in Russia. OFAC also updated two existing Frequently Asked Questions to reflect the new licenses.