Overview
UN Sanctions
In response to the use of force against civilians in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in 2011 by Colonel Gaddafi’s government, the UN established the UN Libya Sanctions Committee, and imposed sanctions on Libya consisting of an arms embargo, asset freezes and travel bans pursuant to Resolution 1970 (2011).
After the peaceful transfer of authority from the National Transitional Council to the first democratically constituted national unity government in 2012, the UN lifted its sanctions. In 2014, due to the increased violence and fighting, and the illicit export of crude oil from Libya, the UN again broadened the sanctions regime.
Currently, the 1970 sanctions regime includes an arms embargo on Libya, targeted asset freezes and travel bans, and measures in relation to attempts to export petroleum from Libya illicitly.
EU Sanctions
The EU implemented UN sanctions by Council Regulation (EU) 204/2011 and Council Decision 2011/137/CFSP. In 2016, the EU consolidated its Libya sanctions into new measures for the sake of clarity, following the many changes made to the regime since its inception. The new measures are Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333.
UK Sanctions
The UK adopted the Libya (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 on 1 January 2021.
US Sanctions
The US first imposed Libya sanctions in 2011 consisting of an assets freeze, pursuant to EO 13566. The assets freeze was expanded and a travel ban introduced in 2016 by EO 13726.
Current UN Sanctions
In response to the use of force against civilians in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in 2011 by Colonel Gaddafi’s government, the UN established the UN Libya Sanctions Committee, and imposed sanctions on Libya consisting of an arms embargo, asset freezes and travel bans pursuant to Resolution 1970 (2011).
After the peaceful transfer of authority from the National Transitional Council to the first democratically constituted national unity government in 2012, the UN lifted its sanctions. In 2014, due to the increased violence and fighting, and the illicit export of crude oil from Libya, the UN again broadened the sanctions regime.
Currently, the 1970 sanctions regime includes an arms embargo on Libya, targeted asset freezes and travel bans, and measures in relation to attempts to export petroleum from Libya illicitly.
Current EU Sanctions
The EU implemented UN sanctions by Council Regulation (EU) 204/2011 and Council Decision 2011/137/CFSP. In 2016, the EU consolidated its Libya sanctions into new measures for the sake of clarity, following the many changes made to the regime since its inception. The new measures are Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333.
- Legislation
- Sanctions List
- Guidance
Commission Opinion on Article 5(4) of Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44 (on whether economic resources generated from blocked assets are subject to the assets freeze)
Commission Opinion on changes to the features of frozen funds
- Judgments
-
Libyan Investment Authority v La Société Mohamed Abdel Moshen Al-Kharafi et Fils N° RG 22/05055 – N° Portalis 35L7-V-B7G-CFNXM
-
T-627/20 LAICO v Council
-
T-723/20 Prigozhin
-
T-700/19 Ghaoud
-
T-322/19 Qaddafi
-
C-168/17 SH v TG
-
T-485/15 Alsharghawi
-
T-348/13 Al Kadhaf Dam
-
T-532/14 R Alsharghawi
-
Current UK Sanctions
The UK adopted the Libya (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 on 1 January 2021.
- Legislation
- Sanctions List
- Guidance
- Judgments
-
Libyan Investment Authority v Maud [2016] EWCA Civ 788
-
Maud v Libyan Investment Authority [2015] EWHC 1625 (Ch)
-
Current US Sanctions
The US first imposed Libya sanctions in 2011 consisting of an assets freeze, pursuant to EO 13566. The assets freeze was expanded and a travel ban introduced in 2016 by EO 13726.
- Legislation
- Sanctions List
Search “Libya” on the OFAC SDN List
- Guidance
Other Countries Sanctions
- Judgments
-
PIAM v Upper Brook (A) Ltd & Ors
-
Palladyne International Asset Management BV v Upper Brook and others
-
R v Roy 2017 QCCQ 7780
-
Cornhill Natural Resources Fund Limited v Libyan Investment Authority and HSBC Securities Services (Bermuda)
-
