14 EU sanctions against Iran
| (28529)
8132/07
—
| Common Position concerning restrictive measures against Iran
|
| Legal base | Article 15 TEU; unanimity
|
| Department | Foreign and Commonwealth Office
|
| Basis of consideration | EM of 12 April 2007
|
| Previous Committee Report | None; but see (28327): HC 41-ix (2006-07) para 13 (7 February 2007)
|
| To be discussed in Council | 23 April 2007 General Affairs and External Relations Council
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| Committee's assessment | Politically important
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| Committee's decision | Cleared
|
Background
14.1 On 23 December 2006, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution
1737, which imposes a number of sanctions on Iran. In broad terms
UNSCR 1737:
- prohibits the sale/transfer to Iran — and also the export
by Iran or export from Iran — of certain goods and technologies
that could contribute to sensitive activities (enrichment related,
reprocessing and heavy water activities and the development of
nuclear weapons delivery systems);
- prohibits technical or financial assistance related to these
activities;
- freezes the assets of named individuals and entities involved
in, associated with or providing support to Iran's sensitive nuclear
and missile programmes;
- calls on States to 'exercise vigilance' about the travel to
or through their territories of individuals involved in, associated
with or providing support to Iran's sensitive nuclear and missile
programmes and requires them to inform the Security Council when
named individuals do so; and
- calls on States to prevent Iranian nationals from studying
sensitive subjects.
14.2 On 7 February we cleared Common Position 2007/140/CFSP, which
enabled EU Member States to fulfil their obligation to implement
these restrictions.[42]
It was subsequently adopted by the Council on 27 February 2007.
UN Security Council Resolution 1747
14.3 The UN Security Council adopted resolution 1747 on 24 March
2007 imposing further restrictive measures against Iran. The resolution,
under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, is binding on all UN member
states, although not all the measures are mandatory.
14.4 Together with his 12 April 2007 Explanatory Memorandum, the
Minister for Europe at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr
Geoffrey Hoon) attaches the text which, he explains, provides
for:
- A strengthening of the travel restrictions, so that states
are called upon to exercise vigilance and restraint[43]
regarding the entry into or transit through their territory by
designated individuals.
- The designation of a number of new individuals subject to
the travel restrictions and individuals and entities subject to
the assets freeze, including Bank Sepah and Bank Sepah International.
- Inclusion of a new sub-category for designating individuals
and entities connected to the Iran Republican Guard Corp (IRGC).
- A mandatory arms embargo on exports and procurement from Iran.
- Restrictions on the export to Iran of items covered by the
UN Conventional Arms Register.
- Restrictions on financial assistance to the government of
Iran.
The amended Common Position
14.5 The Minister says that the EU is proposing "to rigorously
implement" the latest UN measures by introducing in the amending
Common Position:
- A mandatory EU arms embargo on Iran (Article 1.1).
- A mandatory ban on new financial commitments to the
government of Iran (Article 1.2).
- An EU autonomous list of Iranian individuals and entities
not designated by the UN but who meet the UN criteria for the
travel restrictions and assets freeze (Article 1.4).
14.6 The draft Common Position amending Common Position 2007/140/CFSP
is attached to his Explanatory Memorandum. He says that Annex
II will contain the names on the EU autonomous list, they being
persons who meet the UN's criteria for the travel restrictions
and assets freeze, and that the list will be published when the
Common Position is adopted by the Council.
The Government's view
14.7 The Minister says that the measures in Resolution 1747 (2007):
"go beyond the limited non-proliferation measures in
Resolution 1737 (2006) by introducing political and financial
measures. In particular, the assets freeze on Bank Sepah, senior
figures in the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated
companies sends a clear signal to the government of Iran that
it is no longer business as usual. The UK fully supports the EU's
approach to implement the Resolution in a rigorous and effective
manner. The Security Council will consider further appropriate
measures if a further report by the Director General of the [IAEA]
within 60 days concludes that Iran has not complied with the terms
of the resolution".
14.8 Although he does not attempt to quantify it, the Minister
says that "there is an administrative burden on the financial
sector in implementing the assets freeze".
14.9 Finally, he says that the amended Common Position is scheduled
to be adopted at the 23 April GAERC.
Conclusion
14.10 As we noted in our earlier related report, the EU following
suit on UN sanctions would not normally warrant a substantive
Report to the House, and no questions arise on this occasion either.
14.11 However, given the high level of public concern about
Iran's nuclear activities, we again consider a Report appropriate.
42
See headnote. Back
43
The underlining is the Minister's, as is that in his explanation
of the changes to the Common Position. Back
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