EU adds 4 persons to Syrian sanctions list

Further information:

These individuals were targeted for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons against the civilian population, in line with the EU's policy to fight the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. These persons include a high-ranking military official and 3 scientists working at the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC), the government entity responsible for developing and producing non-conventional weapons, including chemical weapons, and the missiles to deliver them.

Background information:

The SSRC has beeen subject to sanctions as an institution since 1 December 2011. The EU had also already imposed restrictive measures on Syrian persons specifically for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons on 17 July 2017.

The decision brought to 261 persons the total number of persons targeted by a travel ban and an assets freeze for being responsible for the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria, benefiting from or supporting the regime, and/or being associated with such persons. In addition, 67 entities were also targeted by an assets freeze.

More broadly, sanctions in place against Syria include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, a freeze of the assets of the Syrian central bank held in the EU, export restrictions on equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression as well as on equipment and technology for the monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications.

The Council of the European Union decided on 19 March 2018 to add four persons to the list of those targeted by EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime.