The Haiti (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2023

The Haiti (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 were recently published on legislation.gov.uk, the official journal of the UK. The regulations modify existing sanctions regulations with respect to Haiti, namely the Haiti (Sanctions) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/1281), to adjust the 2022 regulations to reflect the provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution 2699 which „changed the existing targeted arms embargo on designated individuals to an embargo on the supply small arms, light weapons and ammunition to Haiti“. Accordingly, most provisions in the 2023 amendment regulations relate to the following:
– the replacement of references to UN Resolutions to provide an update to UN Security Council Resolution 2699;
– the replacement of provisions relating to „Military goods and technology“ with provisions relating to the supply of small arms, light weapons, and ammunitions for use in Haiti; and
– the definition of what constitutes such arms, weapons, and ammunitions (new schedule).
Furthermore, the new regulations provide for new powers of the Secretary of State to issue trade licenses and implement new enforcement provisions in relation to licensing violations (e.g. making an application for a license and willfully providing false information).
To conclude, it shall be noted that the restrictions on the provision of the outlined goods as set out in the schedule also include the provisions of related services, such as trade financing, insurance, or brokerage.