UK eases sanctions on Syria

The UK has announced plans to ease sanctions on Syria following the fall from power of Bashar al-Assad, according to a new government plan disclosed on February 13th, The New Arab reported.

Syria’s new government, still grappling with extensive international sanctions, is working to convince Western nations that the extremist roots of the rebels who overthrew Assad—who ruled for 14 years—are no longer a concern.

“They will include the relaxation of restrictions that apply to the energy, transport and finance sectors,” said Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty, noting that the proposals would first be subject to parliamentary debate.

In a written statement to lawmakers, Doughty confirmed that the government intends to introduce legislative changes in the coming months, revising the 2019 legislation which forms the basis of the current sanctions.

“We are making these changes to support the Syrian people in re-building their country and promote security and stability,” he explained.

At the same time, Doughty highlighted the importance of keeping al-Assad and his allies accountable. He said: “The government remains determined to hold Bashar al-Assad and his associates to account for their actions against the people of Syria. We will ensure that asset freezes and travel bans imposed on members of the former regime remain in force.” 

The UK, as well as the US and the European Union, enforced strict sanctions on Syria in response to Assad’s clampdown on protesters in 2011 and the human rights violations during the conflict.

These restrictions have primarily targeted government officials, military entities, and critical sectors of the economy.

With Assad’s government ousted, Syria’s new leadership is now seeking international investment and assistance to rebuild the country after years of war.

The New Arab reported on February 6th that Syrian whistleblower, Farid Al-Madhhan, who documented grave human rights abuses by Assad’s regime, had his evidence used by the US to enact the ‘Caesar Act’, which later imposed sanctions on the Assad regime.

The New Arab