The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) (Suspension and Amendment) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1446)

Summary

This is a UK Order in Council that amends and partially suspends the Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) Order 2012, which applies sanctions against Zimbabwe in the British Virgin Islands and other listed overseas territories. It came into force on 11 July 2013 and reflects an EU Council Decision suspending most financial sanctions against Zimbabwean designated persons and entities following political developments in Zimbabwe.

• Suspension of financial sanctions: Articles 4, 5 and 6 of the 2012 principal Order (asset freezes and related financial restrictions) cease to have effect in relation to persons and entities listed in the Annex to EU Council Regulation 298/2013, from the date this Order comes into force.
• Restricted goods offence retained and clarified: Article 7(1) is replaced to confirm it remains an offence to knowingly sell, supply, transfer or export restricted goods, directly or indirectly, to any person in Zimbabwe or for use in Zimbabwe.
• Minor technical corrections: Cross-references in articles 4(7), 7(8), 8(3), 9(2) and Schedules 2 and 5 of the principal Order are corrected (e.g. adding references to article 11, fixing paragraph and article references).

The suspension is not permanent: the EU Council reviews it every three months, so the underlying financial sanctions could be reinstated. Firms should continue to monitor Zimbabwe sanctions designations and the restricted goods prohibition, which is unaffected by the suspension.

Key obligations

• Persons and entities must not knowingly sell, supply, transfer or export restricted goods, directly or indirectly, to any person in Zimbabwe or for use in Zimbabwe (article 7(1) offence retained).

Applies to

financial institutions and persons in Overseas Territories subject to the Zimbabwe sanctions regime, persons and entities designated under the EU Zimbabwe sanctions Annex, persons dealing in restricted goods with Zimbabwe

Deadlines

• 11th July 2013: Date the Order comes into force, from which the suspension of financial sanctions under articles 4, 5 and 6 of the principal Order takes effect.

Related documents

• The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) (Amendment and Revocation) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/826) repeals this document
• The Sanctions (Overseas Territories) (Revocations) Order 2020 repeals this document