
1 

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Sanctions (Humanitarian Exception) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.
(2) These Regulations come into force on 9th February 2023.
2 

(1) The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 81 (asset freeze etc.: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
81A. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 13 to 17 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 13 to 17;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
3 

(1) The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 31 (finance: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
31ZA. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
4 

(1) The South Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 31 (finance: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
31ZA. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
5 

(1) The Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 37 (finance: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
37ZA. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 12 to 17 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 12 to 17;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
6 

(1) The ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida (United Nations Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 27 (finance: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
27ZA. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 8 to 12 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 8 to 12;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
7 

(1) The Central African Republic (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 31 (finance: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
31ZA. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
8 

(1) The Lebanon (Sanctions) (Assassination of Rafiq Hariri and others) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 14 (finance: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
14ZA. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 8 to 12 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 8 to 12;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
9 

(1) The Somalia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 are amended as follows.
(2) For regulation 44 (finance: humanitarian exception) substitute—“
44. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
10 

(1) The Mali (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 19 (finance: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
19A. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
11 

(1) The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 30 (finance: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
30A. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 8 to 13 (partial asset-freeze and asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 8 to 13;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
12 

(1) The Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 31 (finance: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
31A. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
13 

(1) The Yemen (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 30 (finance: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
30A. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
14 

(1) The Libya (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 are amended as follows.
(2) After regulation 43 (finance: exceptions from prohibitions) insert—“
43A. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16 (asset-freeze etc.) and 18 to 20 (partial asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 12 to 16 or 18 to 20;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
15 

(1) The Haiti (Sanctions) Regulations 2022 are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 22 (enabling or facilitating the conduct of armed hostilities), in sub-paragraph (3)(a), after “technical assistance,” insert “armed personnel,”.
(3) For regulation 26 (finance: humanitarian exception) substitute—“
26. 

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 8 to 12 (asset-freeze etc.) are not contravened by a person (“P”) carrying out a relevant activity which is necessary—
(a) to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, or
(b) to support other activities that support basic human needs,
where Conditions A and B are met.
(2) Condition A is that the humanitarian assistance or other activities mentioned in paragraph (1) are carried out by—
(a) the United Nations, including its—
(i) programmes and funds,
(ii) other entities and bodies, and
(iii) specialised agencies and related organisations,
(b) international organisations,
(c) humanitarian organisations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and members of those humanitarian organisations,
(d) bilaterally or multilaterally funded non-governmental organisations participating in the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plans, Refugee Response Plans, other United Nations appeals, or humanitarian clusters coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
(e) any grantee, subsidiary, or implementing partner of any organisation falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) while and to the extent that they are acting in those capacities,
(f) any other persons authorised by the Committee for the purposes of resolution 2664.
(3) Condition B is that P believes that carrying out the relevant activity is so necessary and there is no reasonable cause for P to suspect otherwise.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation—
 “relevant activity” means any activity which would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene the prohibitions in regulations 8 to 12;
 “resolution 2664” means resolution 2664 (2022) adopted by the Security Council on 9th December 2022.”
Leo Docherty
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
6th February 2023