Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959 - Variation of Exemption (sub-regulation 8(1)(a)) - Syria (16/06/2011)

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Legislation au F2011L01113 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959 – Variation of Exemption
(subregulation 8(1)(a)) (16/06/2011)

as amended

made under subregulation 38(2) of the

Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959

This compilation was prepared on 19 October 2011
taking into account amendments up to Direction relating to foreign currency transactions and to Syria – Amendment to the Annex and Variation of Exemptions  Amendment to the Annexes (13/10/2011)

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra

Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959

Variation of Exemption (subregulation 8(1)(a)) (16/06/2011)

The Reserve Bank of Australia, pursuant to sub-regulation 38(2) of the Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959, hereby varies the Exemption dated 29 June 1990 relating to sub-regulation 8(1)(a) of the Regulations so that the Exemption does not apply to a person who makes any payment in Australia to, by the order of, or on behalf of any person listed in the Annex to this variation of exemption, or who places any sum in Australia to the credit of such persons.

The Annex to this variation of exemption may be amended from time to time. Any such amendment shall be taken as being part of this variation of exemption as from the date specified in the amendment.

This instrument comes into operation on 22 June 2011.

Dated at Sydney this 16th day of June 2011.

Annex

 

PERSON/ENTITY

DESCRIPTION

Al-Abbas, Amjad

Head of Political Security in Banias, has been involved in violence against demonstrators in Baida.

 

Al-Assad, Bashar

Born 11 September 1965 in Damascus; diplomatic passport No. D1903.

President of the Syrian Arab Republic, responsible for violence against demonstrators.

 

Al-Assad, Fawwaz

Involved in repression against the civilian population as part of the Shabiha militia.

 

Al-Asad, Mahir

aka Maher Al-Assad.

Born 8 December 1967, diplomatic passport No. 4138

Brother of Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad and brigade commander in the Syrian Army’s 4th Armoured Division.

 

Al-Assad, Mundir

Involved in repression against the civilian population as part of the Shabiha militia.

 

Al-Chaar, Mohammad Ibrahim

Syria’s Minister for Interior, has been involved in violence against demonstrators.

 

Al-Shara, Farouk

aka Faruq Al Shar’.

Born 10 December 1938.

Vice President of the Syrian Arab Republic, responsible for violence against demonstrators.

 

Ghazali, Rustum

Head of Syrian Military Intelligence, and involved in repression against the civilian population.

 

Hassan, Jamil

Head of Syrian Airforce Intelligence, has been involved in the repression against the civilian population.

 

al Kuzbari, Nabil Rafik

Nabil Rafik al Kuzbari is the Chairman of Chan Holding and acts on behalf of Rami Makhlouf.  Chan Holding is tied to public corruption in Syria and is owned by Rami Makhlouf, a designated individual.

 

Mahmoud, Ali Habib

Minister of Defence of the Syrian Arab Republic, responsible for violence against demonstrators.

 

Makhlouf, Hafez

Born 2 April 1971 in Damascus; diplomatic passport number 2246.

Colonel and Head of Unit in General Intelligence Directorate, Damascus Branch. Close to Mahir Al-Assad has been involved in violence against demonstrators.

 

Makhlouf, Rami

Born 10 July 1969 in Damascus; passport number 454224.

Syrian businessman and associate of Mahir AlAssad, bankrolls the regime allowing violence against protestors.

 

Mamluk, Ali

aka Ali Mamlouk.

Born 19 February 1946, Damascus, diplomatic passport No. 983.

Director of Syria’s General Intelligence Directorate (GID)

 

Najib, Atif

aka Atef Najib.

Cousin of Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad and head of Syria’s Political Security Directorate for Dar’a Province during March 2011.

 

Safar, Adel

Prime Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic, responsible for violence against demonstrators.

 

Qudsiyah, Abd Al-Fatah

Head of Syrian Military Intelligence, has been involved in the repression against the civilian population.

 

Zeitoun, Mohammed Dib

Head of Political Security, has been involved in violence against demonstrators.

 

Al Mashreq Investment Fund

Al Mashreq Investment Fund is tied to public corruption in Syria and is owned by Rami Makhlouf, a designated individual.

 

Bena Properties

Bena Properties is tied to public corruption in Syria and is owned by Rami Makhlouf, a designated individual.

 

Chan Holding

Chan Holding is tied to public corruption in Syria and is owned by Rami Makhlouf, a designated individual.

 

Syrian Air Force Intelligence (SAFI)

In late April 2011, security forces including personnel from SAFI fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds of demonstrators who took to the streets in Damascus and other cities after noon prayers, killing at least 43 people.

 

Syrian General Intelligence Directorate (GID)

 

 

 

Syrian Military Intelligence (SMI)

The Syrian Military Intelligence is one of the four major branches of Syria's security forces and has used force against and arrested demonstrators participating in the unrest.

 

Syrian National Security Bureau (NSB)

The Syrian National Security Bureau is an element of the Syrian Ba'ath Party and directed Syrian security forces to use extreme force against demonstrators.

 

Al Hassan, Bassam

Presidential Advisor for Strategic Affairs; involved in the crackdown on the civilian population.

 

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.

 

Ikhtiyar, Hisham

Born in 1941.

Head of the Syrian National Security Bureau; involved in the crackdown on the civilian population.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Makhlouf, Iyad

aka Eyad Makhlouf.

Born 21 January 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.

 

Rajiha, Dawud

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces responsible for the military involvement in the crackdown on peaceful protestors.

 

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.

 

Chaliche, Zoulhima

Born in 1946 or 1951 in Kerdaha.

Head of Presidential Security and involved in violence against demonstrators; first cousin of President Assad.

 

Chaliche, Riyad

Director of the Military Housing Establishment, who has provided funds to the Assad regime; first cousin of President Assad.

 

Jabir, Ayman

Associate of Mahir al-Assad, involved with the Shabiha military. Directly involved in the repression and violence against the civilian population and co-ordination of Shabiha militia groups.

 

Makhlouf, Mohammed

aka Abu Rami.

Close associate and maternal uncle of Bashar and Mahir al-Assad. Business associate and father of Rami, Ihab and Iyad Makhlouf.

 

Mufleh, Mohammad

Head of Syrian Military Intelligence in the town of Hama.

 

Qaddur, Khalid

Has close ties to Rami Makhlouf, a cousin of President Assad who is listed for the financial support he provides to the regime.

 

al-Quwatli, Ra’if

Has close ties to Rami Makhlouf, a cousin of President Assad, who is listed for the financial support he provides to the regime.

 

Younes, Major General Tawfiq

Head of the Department for Internal Security of the General Intelligence Directorate.

 

Commercial Bank of Syria

A Syrian state-owned financial institution which provides financial support to the regime and is an agent of designated Syrian and North Korean WMD proliferators and engaging in dealings with designated Iranian banks.

 

Hamcho International

aka Hamsho International Group.

Controlled by Mohammad Hamcho or Hamsho and provides funding to the Assad regime.

 

Military Housing Establishment

aka MILIHOUSE.

A public works company controlled by Riyad Chaliche and the Syrian Ministry of Defence; provides funding to the regime.

 

Syrian Lebanese Commercial Bank

Owned or controlled by the Commercial Bank of Syria

 

Syrian Political Security Directorate

Has been responsible for human rights abuses in the Syrian city of Daraa in March and April 2011.

 

Syriatel

Owned or controlled by Rami Makhlouf, Syrian businessman and regime insider and by Al Mashreq Investment Fund, both of which are already listed by Australia.

 

 

 

Notes to the Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959 – Variation of Exemption (subregulation 8(1)(a)) (16/06/2011)

Note 1

The Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959 – Variation of Exemption (subregulation 8(1)(a)) (16/06/2011) (in force under subregulation 38(2) of the Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959) as shown in this compilation is amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Table of Instruments

Title

Date of
FRLI registration/ notification in
Gazette

Date of
commencement

Application, saving or
transitional provisions

Variation of Exemption
(subregulation 8(1)(a))  Syria (16/06/2011)

21 June 2011 (see F2011L01113)

22 June 2011 (see Gazette 2011, No. GN24)

22 June 2011

 

Direction relating to foreign currency  transactions and to Syria – Amendment to the Annex and Variation of Exemptions  Amendment to the Annexes (28/07/2011)

2 Aug 2011 (see F2011L01591)

3 Aug 2011 (see Gazette 2011, No. GN30)

3 Aug 2011

Direction relating to foreign currency  transactions and to Syria – Amendment to the Annex and Variation of Exemptions  Amendment to the Annexes (13/10/2011)

18 Oct 2011 (see F2011L02084

19 Oct 2011 (see Gazette 2011, No. GN41)

19 Oct 2011

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted      am. = amended      rep. = repealed      rs. = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

Annex......................

rs. F2011L01591; F2011L02084

 

 

Overview

The Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959 were enacted to regulate foreign exchange transactions within Australia, ensuring compliance with international and domestic financial sanctions. This legislation was introduced to address issues related to financial transactions that could facilitate illegal activities, such as terrorism and other forms of organised crime. The Reserve Bank of Australia, acting under the authority granted by the Banking Act 1959, varies these regulations to adapt to changing geopolitical landscapes and to effectively enforce sanctions against entities and individuals involved in severe human rights abuses. The policy objective of these variations is to prevent Australians and Australian entities from engaging in financial transactions that could support oppressive regimes and violent activities abroad, thereby contributing to global stability and the protection of human rights. The variations are made pursuant to sub-regulation 38(2) of the Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959, ensuring that the regulations remain relevant and effective in addressing emerging threats.

Scope and Application

The Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959 – Variation of Exemption (subregulation 8(1)(a)) (16/06/2011) applies to any person in Australia who makes a payment or places a sum to the credit of a specified entity or individual listed in the Annex to the variation of exemption. The regulation is specifically directed towards preventing financial transactions that might benefit individuals or entities associated with the Syrian government who are implicated in violence against demonstrators or repression of the civilian population. This legislative instrument has a national jurisdictional reach within Australia. It excludes any transactions that do not involve the listed individuals or entities. The scope of the Act can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which can amend the Annex listing the individuals and entities subject to the exemption variation. These amendments are integral to the original variation of exemption and come into effect as specified in the amendments themselves.

Key Provisions

The Banking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959, through the Variation of Exemption (subregulation 8(1)(a)) (16/06/2011), primarily aim to restrict financial transactions involving individuals and entities associated with the Syrian regime that are implicated in violence against demonstrators and human rights abuses. This variation specifically targets payments or credits to the listed persons and entities as outlined in the Annex of the legislation. The Annex includes high-ranking officials, military leaders, and businesses associated with the Syrian government, such as Rami Makhlouf and entities like Chan Holding and Syriatel. By varying the exemption, the regulation prohibits any financial transactions to these individuals and entities within Australia, thereby imposing economic sanctions against those involved in repression and violence. The Act imposes several obligations on financial institutions and individuals within its purview. Financial institutions must ensure they do not facilitate any payments or credits to the listed persons and entities. This includes conducting due diligence on their clients to ascertain whether any transactions involve the sanctioned individuals or entities. Individuals and businesses are also required to comply with the regulations by refraining from making any payments or credits to the listed entities. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to severe consequences, including civil and criminal penalties. Violations of these regulations can result in significant penalties. Under Australian law, unauthorised financial transactions to sanctioned entities can be treated as criminal offences, potentially leading to substantial fines and imprisonment. Specifically, the maximum penalty for contravening these regulations can include fines of up to $210,000 for individuals and $1,050,000 for corporations, along with possible imprisonment terms. These penalties underscore the seriousness with which the Australian government regards compliance with these financial sanctions, aimed at exerting economic pressure on the Syrian regime to curb its violent actions against civilians.

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