The Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned the Kaniyat militia and its leader, Mohamed al-Kani, for serious human rights abuses, according to a Nov. 25 press release. Al-Kani and the militia are responsible for numerous civilian executions and other human rights violations in Libya, OFAC said.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control published a notice Nov. 30 listing three previously issued Venezuela-related general licenses that contain authorizations related to Petroleos de Venezuela. In addition to the current General License 5E, the notice contains general licenses 5C and 5D, both of which were superseded by GL 5E, which was issued in October (see 2010060036). The authorizations in GL 5E will become effective Jan. 19, 2021.
The Bureau of Industry and Security expects to roll out a more multilateral approach to export controls under the Joe Biden administration but does not expect any major changes to its China policies or Entity List decisions, a senior Commerce Department official said. The official pointed to the strong bipartisan support among lawmakers for Chinese sanctions and export controls, which likely will continue under a new administration. “I don't see that going away. I think the Hill is engaged. I think at least from what President-elect Biden has announced with his Cabinet, these are folks who are familiar with the national security issues,” the official, who declined to be named in order to speak candidly about BIS, said in an interview last week. “So I don't expect a lot of substantive change.”
Canada stopped issuing new permits for exports and brokering of controlled goods and technology to Belarus due to concerns about the country’s fraudulent presidential election and reports of human rights violations under the new regime, Canada said in a Nov. 9 notice. Canada issued sanctions on Belarusian officials Sept. 29 (see 2009300011). Canadian exporters that were issued permits before Nov. 9 may continue to export during their “period of validity,” the notice said. The country said it will “continue to monitor the evolving situation and may reassess” the decision.
While the Joe Biden administration will likely pursue more multilateral sanctions than the Trump administration, industry should not expect the Office of Foreign Assets Control to reverse its yearslong trend of increased sanctions, a former OFAC official and law firms said.
Japan revised its foreign exchange and export control ordinance regarding review of certain “cargo and technology,” a Nov. 24 news release said, according to an unofficial translation. The changes affect technology related to the “design of equipment attached to numerical control devices,” liquids that “can be used as refrigerants” and “electric braking shutters.” Japan said it will begin enforcing the changes Jan. 27, 2021.
The United Kingdom collected about £700,000 ($935,000) in fines related to export violations between March and September, a Nov. 24 notice said. The fines, which ranged from £1,000 ($1,335) to more than £200,000 ($267,000), were related to unlicensed exports of dual-use goods, military goods and “related activity” controlled under the U.K.’s Export Control Order 2008.
The State Department announced penalties on foreign entities for illegal transfers under the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act. The entities transferred items subject to multilateral control lists that contribute to weapons proliferation or missile production, the agency said in a notice released Nov. 24. The entities are: China-based Chengdu Best New Materials Co. Ltd. and Zibo Elim Trade Co.; and Russia-based Aviazapchast, Joint Stock Company Elecon and the Nilco Group. The companies and their subsidiaries are barred from purchasing items controlled on the U.S. Munitions List and by the Arms Export Control Act. The State Department will also suspend any current export licenses used by the companies and bar them from receiving new export licenses for any goods subject to the Export Administration Regulations. Government agencies are barred from entering into procurement contracts with them. The measures took effect Nov. 6.
The U.S. extended by one year the national emergency authorizing sanctions against Nicaragua, the White House said Nov. 24. President Daniel Ortega’s regime continues to undermine democratic institutions and abuse human rights in the country, the notice said. The emergency would have ended Nov. 27.
Export Compliance Daily is providing readers with the top stories for Nov. 16-20 in case you missed them. You can find any article by searching on the title or by clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.