The Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations are made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (c.13) to establish a sanctions regime in relation to Sudan for the purposes of implementing many of the obligations that the United Kingdom has under UN Security Council Resolutions 1556 (2004), 1591 (2005), 1672 (2006) and 2035 (2012). They also have the purposes of promoting the peace, security and stability of Sudan, encouraging the resolution of the armed conflicts in Sudan and the stabilisation of Sudan, promoting respect for democracy, the rule of law and good governance in Sudan and other related purposes.

Following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, these Regulations also replace the European Union sanctions regime in relation to the situation in Sudan, implemented via an EU Council Decision and Regulation.

The Regulations confer a power on the Secretary of State to designate persons who are, or have been, involved in activity which threatens the peace, stability or security of Sudan or in the commission of serious human rights violations or abuses in Sudan. Designated persons may be excluded from the United Kingdom and may be subject to financial sanctions, including having their funds and/or economic resources frozen. These Regulations also impose trade restrictions on military goods and technology.

The Regulations provide for certain exceptions to this sanctions regime, in particular in relation to financial sanctions (for example to allow for frozen accounts to be credited with interest or other earnings) and also acts done for the purpose of national security or the prevention of serious crime. The Regulations also confer powers on the Secretary of State and the Treasury to issue licences in respect of activities that would otherwise be prohibited under the financial and trade sanctions imposed. Schedule 2 to these Regulations sets out the purposes pursuant to which the Treasury may issue such licences.

The Regulations make it a criminal offence to contravene, or circumvent, any of the prohibitions in these Regulations and prescribe the mode of trial and penalties that apply to such offences. The Regulations also confer powers on specified maritime enforcement officers to stop and search ships in international and foreign waters for the purpose of enforcing specified trade sanctions and to seize goods found on board ships which are being, or have been, dealt with in contravention, or deemed contravention, of those prohibitions. The Regulations prescribe powers for the provision and sharing of information to enable the effective implementation and enforcement of the sanctions regime.

Council Regulation (EU) No 747/2014 of 10 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Sudan and repealing Regulations (EC) No 131/2004 and (EC) No 1184/2005 is revoked by these Regulations. The Sudan (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1826) and The Export Control (Sudan, South Sudan and Central African Republic Sanctions) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/3258) are also revoked by these Regulations.

An Impact Assessment has not been produced for these Regulations, as they are intended to ensure existing sanctions remain in place following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. These Regulations are intended to deliver substantially the same policy effects as the existing European Union sanctions. An Impact Assessment was, however, produced for the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 and can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/653271/Sanctions_and_Anti-Money_Laundering_Bill_Impact_Assessment_18102017.pdf .