Sanctions: Syria

The Government, represented by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Hamish Falconer, moved to approve the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024. Falconer explained that the instrument amends the existing sanctions regime to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid in Syria, where the humanitarian situation remains dire. The key changes include expanding the eligibility for the humanitarian exception to all organisations covered by UN Security Council resolution 2664, authorising financial service providers to use the humanitarian exception without the need for individual licenses, and replacing the notification requirement with an annual reporting system. The official opposition, represented by Alicia Kearns, expressed support for the instrument, acknowledging that it was originally laid by the previous Conservative government. Kearns praised the changes as responding to requests from humanitarian groups to ease the delivery of aid, while maintaining safeguards against misuse. She also urged the Minister to address the proliferation of the drug Captagon, which she argued has turned Syria into a "narco-state" funding the Assad regime, and to support the establishment of a new chemical weapons tribunal to deliver accountability. The debate that followed saw contributions from other members, including Richard Foord of the Liberal Democrats, who raised concerns about the potential co-option of humanitarian aid by the Assad regime. He sought assurances that the fuel exemptions would not be misused. The newly elected member for Witney, Charlie Maynard, made his maiden speech, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the need for the UK to uphold democratic values. Jim Shannon of the DUP also spoke, emphasising the plight of religious minorities, particularly Christians, in Syria and calling for more to be done to support them. In response, Minister Falconer addressed the various points raised, including the issues of Captagon, chemical weapons, and the balance between sanctions and humanitarian aid. He assured the House that no assistance would be provided directly to the Assad regime and that the government was closely monitoring the situation. Falconer expressed his willingness to provide further information to members on specific matters, such as the UK's voluntary contribution to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Overall, the debate demonstrated a broad consensus on the need to maintain sanctions on the Assad regime while ensuring that humanitarian aid can reach those in need in Syria. Members from across the political spectrum highlighted the ongoing suffering of the Syrian people and called for the government to continue its efforts to address the multifaceted crisis.