The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation amended its Iran sanctions entries to reflect the European Union’s renewal of the sanctions until April 13, 2021, OFSI said in an April 9 notice. The renewal affects 82 entries under the U.K.’s human rights program for Iran (see 2004090024).
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control updated a Venezuela-related general license and amended a Venezuela-related frequently asked question, OFAC said in an April 10 notice. General License No. 5C authorizes certain transactions related to Petroleos de Venezuela involving an 8.5% bond on or after July 22, 2020. The FAQ clarifies which transactions are authorized by the license.
After current and former lawmakers asked the Treasury Department to clarify its stance on humanitarian exports to sanctioned countries, the agency pushed back on accusations that sanctions are stopping those exports, saying it does not target legitimate exported aid. Some of those accusations are marred by a misunderstanding of Treasury’s general licenses and exemptions, said sanctions lawyer Doug Jacobson: they do allow a broad range of humanitarian exports to countries like Iran.
The European Union renewed its Iran human rights sanctions, the EU said in an April 8 notice. The sanctions were renewed until April 13, 2021.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control updated the North Korean Sanctions Regulations by adding new sanctions provisions and exemptions and amending the definition for “luxury goods,” according to a notice in the Federal Register. OFAC also made several technical edits to three definitions, revised an “interpretive provision” and updated the “authorities and delegations sections” of the regulations.
Switzerland recently amended its Goods Control Act to include export controls for surveillance goods, according to an unofficial translation of a March notice from the Swiss Federal Assembly. Although Switzerland previously had the authority to control exports of surveillance equipment, that authority was outlined in a temporary legislation, according to an April 8 post from the European Sanctions blog. The blog referred to “goods which could be used for internet or mobile phone surveillance.” The amendment will create a “legal basis” for surveillance export controls and will “transpose the current temporary regulation into ordinary law,” Switzerland said.
The European Union is considering amending rules that will allow it to take action in international trade disputes despite the “paralysis” of the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement body, according to an April 8 EU notice. The rules will make it easier for the EU “to protect its trade interests and rights” while the WTO is unable to deliver binding dispute settlement decisions due to an appointment blockade by the Trump administration (see 1912170035), the European Council said. The amended rules would allow the EU to impose certain sanctions, such as customs duties and trade restrictions, in cases in which dispute settlement procedures are blocked. The rules will also give the European Commission the ability to take countermeasures when a trade agreement partner imposes “illegal trade measures” and “blocks the dispute settlement process under that agreement.” The council said it is “ready to start negotiations” on the rules with the European Parliament.
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls will hold an April 16 webinar on tips and tricks for using the Defense Export Control and Compliance System (see 2002190025), DDTC said April 8. The webinar will include commonly asked questions, a best-practices discussion and a question-and-answer session. The webinar will also cover updates to the DECCS enrollment process, registration renewal procedures, setting up license groups and signing a license as an empowered official.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is adjusting its civil monetary penalties for inflation, the agency said in a notice. The notice includes a table detailing the existing and new maximum penalty amounts.
Cuba was unable to receive a recent shipment of medical supplies due to U.S. sanctions, according to an April 3 press release from Cuba’s ambassador to China. Cuba said a U.S. transport company hired to make the delivery on behalf of a donor rejected the shipment “at the last minute” due to “the economic, commercial, and financial blockade” against Cuba. Cuba said the shipment, organized by Chinese businessman Jack Ma, would have included a donation of ventilators, gloves and other personal protective equipment to combat the coronavirus. The White House did not comment.