Swiss sanctions exemption against Syria now indefinite
Published: Wednesday, Sep 4th 2024, 11:10
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The Swiss exemption from financial sanctions against Syria for humanitarian activities will now apply indefinitely. This was decided by the Federal Council on Wednesday. The Federal Council had initially introduced the exemption for six months following the severe earthquake in Turkey and Syria in February 2023.
Following the earthquake, the Federal Council decided to suspend sanctions against Syria for financial transactions that are necessary to provide humanitarian aid or support the civilian population, initially for six months. The exemption was then extended twice more.
According to the Federal Council, the indefinite exemption is intended to give humanitarian actors more planning security. The Federal Council decided on the first sanctions against Syria in May 2011 - at the time, it adopted the EU sanctions. Since then, the sanctions have been adjusted several times in line with EU decisions.
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