News

Sanctions Notices - Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and Syria

1st July 2016

​Please be advised that there have been a number of developments in relation to the Bailiwick's sanctions regime which are set out below.  These developments concern sanctions relating to Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and Syria.

 

LIBERIA

In recognition of the sustained progress made by the Government of Liberia in rebuilding Liberia for the benefit of all of its citizens in the wake of the civil war in 2003, the UN has now lifted all sanctions against Liberia. These sanctions were implemented in the Bailiwick by the Liberia (United Nations Sanctions) (Channel Islands) Order 2004, which ceases to have effect by virtue of the cancellation of the underlying UN Security Council Resolutions.  Consequently there are now no restrictions on doing business with persons or entities connected with Liberia.

 

CÔTE D’IVOIRE

In recognition of the continued positive evolution of the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, including the successful conclusion of the presidential elections last year, the UN and the EU have now lifted all sanctions against Côte d’Ivoire. These sanctions were implemented in the Bailiwick by the Côte d’Ivoire (Restrictive Measures) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2015, the Côte d’Ivoire (Restrictive Measures) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2015 and the Côte d’Ivoire (Restrictive Measures) (Sark) Ordinance, 2015, which cease to have effect by virtue of the repeal of the underlying EU Regulations.  Consequently there are now no restrictions on doing business with persons or entities connected with Côte d’Ivoire.

 

SYRIA

Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012, as implemented in the Bailiwick by the Syria (Restrictive Measures) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2012, the Syria (Restrictive Measures) (Alderney) Ordinance, 2012 and the Syria (Restrictive Measures) (Sark) Ordinance, 2012, has been amended by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2015/2350.

The Implementing Regulation is available here:  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1467038715557&uri=CELEX:32016R0840

The effect of the amendments, which are automatically effective in the Bailiwick, is to remove two individuals from the list of persons subject to an asset freeze and related financial prohibitions and to amend the details relating to another 17 individuals who remain on the list.

MEASURES WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN (SYRIA)

All businesses must check whether they maintain any accounts or otherwise have any kind of relationship with any natural or legal person, entity or body designated under the legislation referred to above and treat any accounts, funds or economic resources belonging to, owned, held or controlled by a designated person, entity or body as frozen with immediate effect if this is not already the case. Businesses must report any findings to the Policy and Resources Committee immediately. Businesses must also refrain from making any funds or economic resources available directly or indirectly to or for the benefit of any designated person, entity or body other than in respect of transactions that come within a permitted derogation and have been authorised by the Policy and Resources Committee.

The information referred to above is required by the Policy and Resources Committee in the exercise of its powers under the Schedule to each of the Ordinances listed above.

Any information or queries should be sent to [email protected] with the subject line “Syria”.

Further information on the effect of asset freezes and related issues including licences is available on the States of Guernsey website at http://www.gov.gg/sanctions