Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/792) (the “original Regulations”) following the fall of the former regime led by Bashar Al-Assad in Syria.
Regulation 5 of these Regulations amends regulation 4 of the original Regulations to amend the statutory purposes of the original Regulations under section 1 of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. Amongst other things, the revised purposes include the promotion of peace, stability and security in Syria and ensuring accountability for gross violations of human rights carried out by or on behalf of the Assad regime. Regulation 3 of these Regulations inserts a definition of the Assad regime in the original Regulations. Regulation 6 of these Regulations updates the designation criteria in regulation 6 of the original Regulations in light of the revised purposes. As a result, the original Regulations are amended to confer a power on the Secretary of State to designate persons who were, amongst other things, involved in supporting or benefitting from the Assad regime, or who are involved in repressing the civilian population in Syria or undermining democracy, the rule of law or good governance in Syria.
Regulation 7 amends regulation 19 of the original Regulations to apply prohibitions related to bonds issued by the Assad regime between 19th January 2012 and 8th December 2024.
Regulations 8, 9, 11 and 17 to 24 of these Regulations amend or revoke various provisions in the original Regulations to remove certain sectoral sanctions in order to support the recovery of the Syrian economy. This includes sectoral sanctions relating to investment, financial services and financial markets, aircraft, trade (including in relation to the export and import of crude oil and petroleum products), bank notes and coinage and the export of goods relating to electricity production. Regulation 25 makes a consequential amendment to the Trade, Aircraft and Shipping Sanctions (Civil Enforcement) Regulations 2024 as a result of the revocation of Part 6 of the original Regulations.
Regulation 10 inserts a new definition of “Governing Authority of Syria” into regulation 27 of the original Regulations. Regulations 12 to 16 of these Regulations removes existing references to a “Syrian regime person” in regulations 42 to 45 and 48 of the original Regulations and replaces these with references to the Governing Authority of Syria.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen and these Regulations are designed to reduce the burden on businesses, charities and other non-governmental organisations. An impact assessment was, however, produced for the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 and is available from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH or at: