Canada Further Tightens Sanctions Against Assad Regime

News Release

------------

**July 6, 2012 -** Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today emerged from the third Friends of the Syrian People meeting and issued the following statement:

“The daily assault on the people of Syria by the Assad regime continues to throw this country into further chaos.

“Canada is horrified by Assad’s lack of respect for human life and is responding with additional measures to further isolate and increase pressure on the regime.

“Canada is imposing prohibitions against the export of goods and technology that could be used to further repress the people of Syria. As well, Canada is prohibiting the export of goods that could be used to produce chemical and biological weapons, beyond those already controlled by Canada.

“We are also adding the Syria International Islamic Bank and the Syrian National Security Bureau to the list of individuals and entities subject to a prohibition on dealings under existing Canadian sanctions.

“Our expanded sanctions aim to target the regime, not the Syrian people.

“We continue to call on the United Nations Security Council to adopt tough, binding sanctions.

“The actions of the Assad regime are completely unacceptable, and the world desperately needs to speak with one voice condemning these abhorrent actions.”

For more information, please visit [Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations](http://www.international.gc.ca/sanctions/syria_developments-developpements_syrie6.aspx?view=d).

\- 30 -

A backgrounder follows.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

613-995-1874

Backgrounder - Additional Sanctions on Syria

--------------------------------------------

Effective immediately, Canada prohibits the export to Syria of goods and technology that could be used for internal repression, as well as goods that could be used in the production of chemical and biological weapons. In addition, the Syria International Islamic Bank and the Syrian National Security Bureau have been added to the list of designated persons and entities.

For more information on Canada’s sanctions against Syria, please see [Syria](http://www.international.gc.ca/sanctions/syria-syrie.aspx?lang=eng&view=d).

### Context

On May 24, 2011, Canada announced targeted sanctions against the Syrian regime in response to the ongoing violent crackdown by Syrian military and security forces against Syrians peacefully protesting for democracy and human rights. These measures, which remain in place, were a blend of administrative measures and actions taken under the authority of the _Special Economic Measures Act_ and were consistent with initiatives taken by like-minded partners, including the United States and the European Union. They included:

1. Travel restrictions: Canada ensured that persons associated with the Syrian government who are believed to be inadmissible to Canada are prevented from travelling to Canada.

2. Asset freeze: Canada imposed an asset freeze against 25 people associated with the current Syrian regime and seven entities involved in security and military operations against the Syrian people. This included a prohibition on dealing in the property of listed individuals and entities, including the provision of financial services and making property available to individuals and entities.

3. A ban on specific exports and imports: Canada placed a ban under the _Export and Import Permits Act_ on the export from Canada to Syria of goods and technologies that are subject to export controls. These items include arms, munitions, and military, nuclear and strategic items that are intended for use by the Syrian armed forces, police or other governmental agencies.

4. A suspension of all bilateral cooperation agreements and initiatives with Syria.

A news release announcing the May 24, 2011, sanctions can be found at [PM announces sanctions on Syria](http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=4127).

On August 13, 2011, Canada expanded sanctions by imposing the asset freeze and travel restrictions on four additional individuals and two additional entities associated with the Syrian regime.

For more information on the August 13 announcement, please visit [Statement by Minister Baird on Situation in Syria](http://www.international.gc.ca/media/228.aspx?view=d).

On October 4, 2011, Canada imposed the following additional measures:

1. An asset freeze and travel restrictions on 27 additional individuals and 12 additional entities associated with the Assad regime;

2. A prohibition on the importation, purchase or transportation of petroleum or petroleum products from Syria;

3. A prohibition on new investment in the Syrian oil sector;

4. A prohibition on the provision or acquisition of financial services for the purpose of facilitating the importation, purchase or transportation of Syrian petroleum or petroleum products;

5. A prohibition on the provision or acquisition of financial services for the purpose of investing in the Syrian oil sector.

For information on the October 4 announcement, please visit [Canada Expands Sanctions Against Syria](http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2011/283.aspx?lang=eng&view=d).

On December 23, 2011, Canada further expanded its sanctions against the Syrian regime. The measures prohibit all imports from Syria, with the exception of food; all new investment in Syria; and the export to Syria of equipment, including software, for the monitoring of telephone and Internet communications. Canada also imposed an asset freeze and prohibited economic dealings with 33 additional individuals and 10 additional entities associated with the Assad regime.

For information on the December 23 announcement, please visit [Canada Further Expands Sanctions Against Syria](http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2011/390.aspx?lang=eng&view=d).

On January 25, 2012, Canada expanded its sanctions by adding the names of 22 individuals and seven entities associated with the Assad regime to its list of designated persons.

For information on the January 25 announcement, please visit [Canada Further Expands Sanctions Against Syria](http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=653229).

On March 5, 2012, Canada further expanded its sanctions by adding the names of seven individuals—all senior members of the Assad regime—and one entity, the Central Bank of Syria, to the list of those subject to a dealings prohibition and asset freeze. The amendments also introduced a complete ban on the provision or acquisition of financial or other related services to, from, or for the benefit of, or on the direction or order of Syria or any person in Syria.

For information on the March 5 announcement, please visit [Canada Further Expands Sanctions Against Syria’s Assad Regime](http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2012/03/05a.aspx?lang=eng&view=d).

On March 30, 2012, Canada imposed further sanctions against Syria by imposing an asset freeze and dealings prohibition on 12 additional individuals and two entities associated with the Assad regime.

For information on the March 30 announcement, please visit [Canada Expands Sanctions Against Assad Regime](http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2012/03/30a.aspx?lang=eng&view=d).

On May 18, 2012, Canada imposed further sanctions against Syria by prohibiting the export of luxury goods to Syria. Three individuals and three entities were also added to the list of designated persons and entities and thus subjected to an assets freeze and a prohibition on economic dealings. With these new measures, the total number of designations rose to 129 individuals and 44 entities.

For information on the May 18 announcement, please visit [Canada Tightens Sanctions Against Assad Regime](http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2012/05/18b.aspx?lang=eng&view=d).

The measures announced are consistent with Canada’s foreign-policy priority to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law around the world.