Restrictive measures against Syria

Overview

On 27 May 2013, the Council of the EU adopted conclusions in which it condemned the violence and the continued widespread and systematic gross violations of human rights in Syria, the massacres committed by the Syrian armed forces and its militias, all instances of hostage taking of peacekeepers, and the atrocities committed by the Syrian regime. It expressed concern for military operations conducted by the regime and its supporters, as well as the rise of religiously or ethnically motivated violence. In view of the seriousness of the situation, on 31 May 2013, the Council of the EU adopted restrictive measures against Syria in numerous fields. In view of the illegally removed goods belonging to the Syria´s cultural heritage, additional measures were introduced on 13 December 2013. On 12 December 2014, the Council of the EU further imposed a prohibition on export of items that were used by the Assad regime's air force which undertakes indiscriminate air attacks against the civilian population. Since 2014, in view of the deteriorating situation in Syria, and the widespread and systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including the use of chemical weapons against the civilian population, the Council of the EU has repeatedly added names to the lists of persons and entities who are subject to restrictive measures. The listed persons and entities are mainly those who share responsibility for the Syrian regime's violent repression against the civilian population; provide support to the Syrian regime and the Syrian army; provide benefit from the Syrian regime; assist in the production and development of chemical weapons for the Syrian regime; organize chemical weapons attacks; are senior officers of the Syrian Armed Forces and the Syrian security and intelligence services; and are members of Syrian regime-affiliated militias. On 3 April 2017, the Council of the EU stated in its EU strategy on Syria that the EU would continue to consider further restrictive measures targeting Syrian individuals and entities supporting the regime as long as the repression continues. The restrictive measures contain derogations and exemptions, for instance for the delivery of humanitarian aid. In response to the political transition in Syria, the Council of the EU decided to suspend a number of restrictive measures in key areas of energy, transport and finance on 24 February 2025. This decision is part of the EU’s efforts to support an inclusive political transition in Syria, and its swift economic recovery, reconstruction, and stabilisation. The Council is closely monitoring the situation and will assess whether further economic sanctions could be suspended and whether the suspensions remain appropriate. Listings related to the Al-Assad regime, the chemical weapons sector and illicit drug trade as well as a number of sectoral measures, such as on arms trade, dual-use goods, equipment for internal repression, software for interception and surveillance, and the import/export of Syrian cultural heritage goods remain in place. Adopted by: EU.

Targeted country

Legal bases

• Council Decision concerning restrictive measures against Syria
• Council Regulation concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria

Official resources