Press Release

SLDP-Baytna Report on Tactics of Syria Sanctions Evasion

London/Brussels, January 31, 2022 – Sanctions imposed on supporters of the Syrian regime were meant to hold the perpetrators of human rights violations and crimes in Syria accountable, and to deter others from supporting the regime. After over a decade of sanctions, however, the regime has managed to survive economic sanctions by finding ways to evade them.

Investigative reporting and leaked documents have exposed various methods of sanctions evasion that the regime and sanctioned individuals, especially businesspersons, have been using to continue conducting business as usual. Sanctions are failing to deliver their intended purpose.

In-depth research conducted by the Syrian Legal Development Programme (SLDP), in partnership with Baytna, has uncovered numerous loopholes exploited by sanctioned parties in two new reports released today.

''In the absence of any other forms of accountability, sanctions are an interim tool available to hold to account the Syrian regime who has committed, and is still committing, human rights violations and crimes against humanity in Syria. Therefore, regime evasion tactics must be dealt with collectively by all actors working toward achieving accountability for Syrians,'' said Sama Kiki, Executive Director of the Syrian Legal Development Programme.

The research highlights practical recommendations to improve the efficacy of implementation, to help achieve the goal of changing the behavior of human rights abusers.

“Sanctions and sanctions evasion, and their impact on the humanitarian community, were highlighted as key challenges by our partners, and we are extremely happy to have partnered with SLDP to develop some answers and key recommendations. Part of Baytna’s support to civil society organizations in Syria is to help provide solutions to key issues they are facing,” said Assaad Al Achi, Executive Director of Baytna.

Tactics of Sanctions Evasion in Syria uncovers the various methods used by Syrian regime supporters to work around sanctions, and offers recommendations to concerned states on focus areas for action to improve sanctions’ impact. It is available for download here.

Involvement of Russian, Iranian and Chinese Companies in Syria details the extent of business activity by companies from states allied to the Syrian regime. It is available for download here.

For further information, please contact:

Eyad Hamid, Senior Researcher, SLDP                                  Assaad Al Achi, Executive Director, Baytna

Email:e.hamid@sldp.ngo Email: assaad.alachi@baytna.org