BANKING (FOREIGN EXCHANGE) REGULATIONS 1959
SANCTIONS AGAINST SYRIA – AMENDMENT TO THE ANNEX
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The Reserve Bank of Australia, following a directive from the Australian Government under the Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959, currently administers financial sanctions against certain key persons and entities responsible for, or involved in, human rights abuses in Syria.
The Australian Government has reviewed the list of persons and entities subject to financial sanctions and has directed the Reserve Bank to add 8 new persons to the Annex of names. Details of the changes to the Annex can be found in Attachment A.
The updated Annex now contains 26 persons and 7 entities and is referred to in each of the following instruments:
(i) Direction relating to foreign currency transactions and to Syria (dated 16 June 2011) pursuant to regulation 5 of the Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959, (FRLI reference number F2011L01115).
(ii) Variation of Exemption (dated 16 June 2011) relating to sub-regulation 6(1) of the Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959, (FRLI reference number F2011L01114).
(iii) Variation of Exemption (dated 16 June 2011) relating to sub-regulation 8(1)(a) of the Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959, (FRLI reference number F2011L01113).
All three instruments were originally published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. GN24, 22 June 2011. The original instruments foresaw that the Annexes may be periodically reviewed and stated that any amendments to the Annexes shall be taken as being part of the original instruments as from the date specified in the amendments. This is the first update to the Annex.
This instrument does not substantially alter the existing autonomous financial sanctions arrangements. As such, in accordance with Section 18 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, the Reserve Bank is satisfied that further consultation, beyond that already undertaken by the Treasury and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is unnecessary.
ATTACHMENT A
This attachment provides details of the changes to the Syria Annex. 8 persons have been added.
NAMES THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED:
Reference No.
| Name | Details |
2011SYR0026 | Al Hassan, Bassam | Presidential Advisor for Strategic Affairs; involved in the crackdown on the civilian population.
|
2011SYR0027 | Hamcho, Mohamed | Born 20 May 1966, passport no. 002954347. Brother-in-law of Mahir Al-Assad (principal overseer of violence against demonstrators); businessman and local agent for several foreign companies; provides funding to the regime allowing the crackdown on demonstrators.
|
2011SYR0028 | Ikhtiyar, Hisham | Born in 1941. Head of the Syrian National Security Bureau; involved in the crackdown on the civilian population.
|
2011SYR0029 | Khayrbik, Muhammad Nasif | Born on 10 April 1937 (alt. 20 May 1937) in Hama, diplomatic passport no. 0002250. Deputy Vice President of Syria for National Security Affairs; involved in the crackdown on the civilian population.
|
2011SYR0030 | Makhlouf, Ihab | aka Ehab Makhlouf, aka Iehab Makhlouf. Born 21 January 1973 in Damascus, passport no. N002848852. Vice-President of SyriaTel and caretaker for Rami Makhlouf’s US company; provides funding to the regime allowing the crackdown on demonstrators.
|
2011SYR0031 | Makhlouf, Iyad | aka Eyad Makhlouf. Born 21January 1973 in Damascus, passport no. N001820740. Brother of Rami Makhlouf (businessman who provides funding to the regime) and GID officer involved in the crackdown on the civilian population.
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2011SYR0032 | Rajiha, Dawud | Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces responsible for the military involvement in the crackdown on peaceful protestors.
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2011SYR0033 | Shawkat, Asif | Born 15 January 1950 in Al-Madehleh, Tartus. Deputy Chief of Staff for Security and Reconnaissance; involved in the crackdown on the civilian population.
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Total: 8 |
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