EU Council renews chemical weapons sanctions regime for 1 year

The EU Council has extended the restrictive measures “addressing the use and proliferation of chemical weapons” until 16 October 2020. These sanctions (travel ban and asset freeze) currently apply to 9 people and 1 entity: 5 linked to the Syrian regime, 4 involved in the Salisbury Novichok attack, and the Scientific Studies and Research Centre based in Syria (see post).

The sanctions regime allows the EU to impose measures on any persons “involved in the development and use of chemical weapons anywhere, regardless of their nationality and location”, as well as those “who provide financial, technical or material support, and those who assist, encourage or are associated” with chemical weapons. Press Release.