Switzerland decides to eases some of its sanctions on Syria

Switzerland on Friday decided to ease some of its sanctions on Syria to “facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, including to earthquake victims”, according to a statement by the Swiss government published on its website.

The statement reads: “On 3 March, the Federal Council relaxed some of its sanctions against Syria, with the intention of making it easier for humanitarian actors active in Syria to establish the business relationships necessary for their work. The amendments to the ordinance concerned will come into effect at 6pm on 3 March.”

“The Ordinance of 8 June 2012 Imposing Measures against Syria prohibits the provision of money or economic resources to designated persons, entities or businesses. Until now, humanitarian actors receiving federal funding for their activities in Syria could obtain derogations from this rule for financial transactions necessary to provide humanitarian assistance or support to the civilian population. The Federal Council’s decision extends the humanitarian exceptions in order to facilitate humanitarian activities in Syria, including the response to the earthquake of 6 February 2023.

Humanitarian actors in receipt of federal funding may now provide money and economic resources directly or indirectly to designated persons, entities and businesses, when necessary to provide humanitarian assistance or support to the civilian population. In the case of humanitarian actors who do not receive federal funding, an exceptional authorization plan has been set up to provide economic resources to designated persons, businesses and entities, provided this involves humanitarian activities or the provision of aid to the civilian population in Syria.

Switzerland first adopted sanctions on Syria in May 2011, in line with European Union measures. It subsequently amended the ordinance on measures against Syria several times to reflect the EU’s decisions.

The unilateral Western coercive measures caused great human suffering to the Syrian people, as they deprived them of their right to obtain food, medicine, and energy resources by preventing any financial transactions with Syrian banks. These sanctions also constitute a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the principles of international law, and international humanitarian law.

Edited by Hamda Mustafa