EU introduces further exception to sanctions

The Council decided to modify the EU framework on restrictive measures to combat terrorism, by introducing a humanitarian exception to the asset freeze measures for an initial duration of 12 months.

As a result of the decision, certain categories of humanitarian actors, including those outlined in the UN Security Council resolution 2664 (2022), as well as organisations and agencies certified as humanitarian partners of the EU or its member states and member states’ specialised agencies can engage in transactions with listed individuals and entities without any prior authorisation, if the purpose is to deliver humanitarian assistance or to support other activities that support basic human needs of people in need.

Today’s decision increases consistency and coherence across EU restrictive measures regimes and with those adopted at UN level or by other international partners in order to safeguard principled humanitarian action by impartial humanitarian actors.

This decision sends a strong signal to both humanitarian and economic operators, as well as those in need of humanitarian aid: EU sanctions do not stand in the way of delivering humanitarian assistance. It demonstrates the EU’s steadfast determination to avoid unintended negative consequences of sanctions on humanitarian action, and the importance given to the full adherence to international law in the EU’s sanctions policy.

Background
On 9 December 2022, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 2664 (2022), which provides a “humanitarian carve-out” - a standing humanitarian exemption - to the asset freeze measures imposed by United Nations sanctions regimes.

On 14 February 2023, the Council decided to introduce the humanitarian exemption pursuant to resolution 2664 in the UN sanctions regimes at EU level, and on 31 March 2023, the Council introduced the humanitarian exemption in the so-called UN/EU mixed sanctions regimes in which EU measures complement sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council. On 27 November 2023, the Council further introduced the humanitarian exemption into certain Union restrictive measures regimes.