The Council last January 16 decided to extend by one year, until 20 January 2027, the existing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them. Individuals […]
EU adopts new measures against Russian shadow fleet ecosystem and Belarus
The Commission welcomes last December 15’s decision by EU Member States to adopt supplementary sanctions against key components of the Russian shadow fleet value chain, as well as against Belarus. These new measures aim at further increasing pressure on Russia and Belarus to reinforce and support the EU’s commitment to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Supplementary sanctions on shadow […]
Agreement reached on the first EU-wide criminal law rules against corruption
MEPs secured new EU measures for the more effective prevention and prosecution of corruption, including reinforced cooperation and greater transparency. On Tuesday evening, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on the EU’s first ever directive harmonising criminal laws to fight corruption, strengthening efforts to prevent, prosecute and punish offences across the EU. A […]
Council sets out new sanctions against those responsible for destabilising activities against the EU and its Member States
The Council today established a new framework for restrictive measures in response to Russia’s destabilising actions abroad. This new framework will allow the EU to target individuals and entities engaged in actions and policies by the government of the Russian Federation, which undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, independence and integrity, as well […]
EU extends individual sanctions over Russia’s war on Ukraine for six months
The Council decided today to prolong the restrictive measures targeting those responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine for another six months, until 15 March 2025. The existing restrictive measures provide for travel restrictions for natural persons, the freezing of assets, and a ban on making funds or other economic resources available to the listed […]
EU imposes new sanctions against North Korea
The Council sanctioned a further six individuals and three entities in view of sanctions evasion activities carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) that could generate funds for its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, in violation of and with flagrant disregard for the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and in view of the military […]
EU sanctions extremist settlers for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians
The Council decided to list four persons and two entities under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The listed individuals and entities are responsible for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians, including torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and for the violation of right to property and to private and family life of Palestinians […]
Council gives green light to new legislation toughening penalties and extending the list of environmental offences
The Council formally adopted a directive on the protection of the environment through criminal law. The law will improve the investigation and prosecution of environmental crime offences. The directive establishes EU-wide minimum rules on the definition of criminal offences and penalties. It replaces the previous law which dates back to 2008. The law will only […]
EU impose new restrictive measures to Iran due to supply unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia
Yesterday, the European Council imposed restrictive measures against 6 persons and 5 entities involved in Iran’s development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) used in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. These are the first listings under the newly established framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. They complement […]