News item | 24-04-2023 | 10:34
On 24 April 2023, also at the initiative of the Netherlands, the European Union (EU) adopted additional sanctions against persons and organizations of the Syrian regime. The sanctions package targets the regime’s large-scale drug trafficking, repression of the population and Syria’s cooperation with Russia.
These sanctions do not affect support to the Syrian people, such as humanitarian aid after the earthquakes.
Existing sanctions against Syria
Sanctions have been in force against Syria since 2011, when the population took to the streets en masse against President Assad. EU sanctions target individuals and organizations of the Syrian regime responsible for the violent repression of the Syrian population. Examples include militias who have committed mass killings of civilians and officers who have deployed chemical weapons in residential areas.
There are also sanctions against business people who earn a lot from the ongoing Syrian conflict and the resulting humanitarian crisis. And there are sanctions against certain sectors of the Syrian economy (such as weapons, oil and means of repression) that help fund the regime. These parties and agencies stand in the way of the United Nations (UN)-led peace process for a political solution to the conflict in Syria.
The sanctions against Syria are aimed at preventing the Syrian regime from using violence against its own population. And to push the regime to the political reforms necessary for peace. EU sanctions against Syria allow aid to the population and the EU takes additional measures where necessary to ensure that this aid runs smoothly.
The EU is now adopting an additional sanctions package against individuals and organizations of the Syrian regime. The Netherlands has made a case for this within the EU. The sanctions focus on the regime’s current revenue models that contribute to perpetuating the Syrian conflict. The sanctions package consists of three parts:
1. Sanctions against those responsible for production and trafficking of Captagon (drugs)
In recent years, the Syrian regime has developed into a central player in the illegal production and trade of the drug Captagon (phenethylline). Relatives of President Assad, elements of the Syrian army and militias affiliated with the regime play an important role in this trade. The extensive trade in Captagon not only threatens public health in Syria, but also the security and stability of neighboring countries in the Middle East. Shiploads of the drug have even been intercepted in Europe.
The large profits from the Captagon trade make it possible for the Syrian regime to maintain the dire situation in Syria and not work towards a solution to the conflict.
90% of the Syrian population lives below the poverty line. 70% depends on (international) food aid. The Syrian refugee crisis is one of the largest in recent history. Instead of investing in its population in need, the regime enriches itself with drug money. Nor is the regime cooperating with UN-led efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria. Meanwhile, the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate, increasing human suffering and the number of refugees. For this reason, the EU is imposing sanctions against those responsible for the production and trade of Captagon.
What is Captain?Captagon is a highly addictive drug that is banned in most countries, including the Netherlands. Captagon has the active ingredient phenethylline and is a synthetic drug of the amphetamine type. Long-term use and addiction can lead to confusion, hallucinations, strokes, high blood pressure and heart palpitations. |
2. Sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations
The EU is also introducing sanctions against those responsible for serious human rights violations by the Syrian regime. Syrian President Assad has never stopped violently repressing his own people; he continues to do this to this day. Several notorious militias of the regime responsible for this are placed on the sanctions list. They are currently trying to evade sanctions by adopting new names and winning international contracts by posing as private security providers.
The sanctions also affect those recently identified as responsible for the massacre of civilians in Tadamon, a suburb of Damascus, on April 16, 2013. Military officers systematically executed dozens of men, women and children and threw them into a mass grave. The EU is imposing sanctions on the perpetrators and their bosses: senior military personnel of the Syrian regime.
3. Sanctions due to economic deals with Russia
While the Syrian population suffers from terrible economic conditions, the regime diverts precious raw materials to Russia. As an ally of President Assad, Russia has a large footprint in the Syrian economy. This footprint has been increasing since Russia helped the Syrian regime stay in power by launching large-scale bombings against the Syrian civilian population.
Syria has large quantities of the coveted raw material phosphate, the trade of which is in the hands of the regime. The regime does not invest these resources in the construction of the country, but gives Russia more and more control over it. The regime’s economic deals with Russia deprive Syrians of the chance to build a viable future in their own country and add to Russia’s war chest. That is why the EU puts companies responsible for sending Syrian raw materials to Russia on the sanctions list.
A powerful signal
Assets in the EU of the persons and organizations on the sanctions list will be frozen. Also, individuals and companies in the EU are not allowed to do business with them. And persons on the sanctions list are not allowed to enter the EU. With these targeted sanctions, the EU and its Member States are sending a clear message: violations of international law have consequences. The Netherlands and the EU continue to support the Syrian population. The EU is one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid to Syria. The Netherlands has also been providing a great deal of humanitarian aid to Syria since the start of the conflict, even after the earthquake last February. The Netherlands and the EU will continue to work for the Syrian population.
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