Recent developments with sanctions that could affect Canadian charities operating abroad

Canada has sanctions against a number of countries.  These countries include:  Burma / Myanmar, Belarus, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Liberia, North Korea, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Egypt and Zimbabwe.  Canadian charities operating abroad or dealing with people in these countries should review the sanctions to ensure that their activities are not violating the sanctions.

Here are some of the recent updates on the DFAIT website relating to Canadian sanctions: http://www.international.gc.ca/sanctions/index.aspx?view=d

“June 8, 2012
Canada imposed further sanctions against Somalia under the United Nations Act in response to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2036 (2012). The amendments impose a prohibition on the import of charcoal from Somalia.

May 18, 2012
Canada imposed further sanctions against Syria under the Special Economic Measures Act in response to the Syrian government’s continuing repression of Syrian civilians. The amendments impose a prohibition on the export to Syria of luxury goods as well as an assets freeze and dealings prohibition on three new individuals and three additional entities associated with the Syrian regime.

April 24, 2012
In conjunction with its like-minded partners, Canada eased the sanctions regime taken against Burma under the Special Economic Measures Act following positive steps towards reform in Burma. An arms embargo, covering the export of arms and related material to Burma as well as the providing of associated technical and financial assistance, and an assets freeze and dealings prohibition on designated persons remain in force.

March 30, 2012
Canada imposed further sanctions against Syria under the Special Economic Measures Act in response to the Syrian government’s continuing repression of Syrian civilians. The amendments impose an assets freeze and dealings prohibition on twelve new individuals and two additional entities associated with the Syrian regime.

March 5, 2012
Canada imposed further sanctions against Syria under the Special Economic Measures Act in response to the Syrian government’s ongoing and escalating repression of Syrian civilians. The new measures impose an assets freeze and dealings prohibition on additional individuals and entities associated with the Syrian regime and expand the prohibition on financial services with persons in Syria to include all such services.”