Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted in Part
Provide clearer guidance and consider standing exemptions for humanitarian organisations regarding sanctions.
Recommendation
We encourage the Government to consider a standing exemption for relevant humanitarian organisations to ensure that they do not risk liability for their legitimate dealings with sanctioned entities. In the meantime, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) must provide clearer guidance for the humanitarian sector on the interpretation of sanctions legislation. At the international level, the Government should facilitate consistent good practice with regard to creating humanitarian exemptions to sanctions regimes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 29)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits to introducing a tailored humanitarian exemption or ‘carve-out’ across autonomous UK sanctions when parliamentary time allows. They also state OFSI has comprehensive guidance and will continue working to produce clear guidance for humanitarian actors.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Agree. We are committed to introducing a tailored humanitarian exemption or ‘carve-out’ across the UK’s autonomous sanctions when parliamentary time allows. This follows on from UN Security Council Resolution 2664—a landmark step that introduced a cross-cutting exemption to UN sanctions regimes—to support aid delivery. UK sanctions include a range of humanitarian provisions including licensing grounds and exceptions. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has a comprehensive suite of guidance products to support effective implementation of financial sanctions, OFSI’s general guidance can be found online and guidance for charities and NGO’s can also be found online. We will continue to work with other parts of government to produce clear guidance for humanitarian actors and those implementing financial sanctions. For example, we worked with the Crown Prosecution Service to provide straightforward legal guidance for humanitarian, development and peacebuilding organisations responsible for delivering aid in high-risk contexts.