COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION update

 

● Council of the EU

15/07/2025 16:48 | Press release | EU Special representatives: Council extends the mandate of the EUSR for the Great Lakes region and for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia   The Council has today adopted decisions extending the mandates of two EU Special Representatives (EUSRs). Johan Borgstam, the EUSR for the Great Lakes region, and Magdalena Grono, the EUSR for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, had both their mandates extended until 31 August 2027. The EU Special Representatives are proposed by the High Representative and appointed by the Council to promote the EU's policies and interests in specific regions and countries, as well as issues of particular concern or interest for the EU. They play an active role in efforts to consolidate reforms, stability and the rule of law. The first EU Special Representatives were appointed in 1996. Currently, eleven EUSRs support the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. EU Special Representatives (EEAS website)   Visit the website Press material Tuesday, 15 July 2025     ● Council of the EU   15/07/2025 15:43 | Press release | Republic of Moldova: Council lists seven individuals and three entities for actions destabilising the country   Today the Council has imposed restrictive measures against seven individuals and three entities responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence as well as democracy, the rule of law, and stability of the Republic of Moldova. The new designations target close associates of Ilan Shor, already listed by the EU due to his involvement in the illegal financing of political parties in the Republic of Moldova and for incitement to violence. The listings include leaders and members of successor entities to the outlawed ȘOR political party. Some of the persons listed today have been actively involved in vote buying schemes, in the context of the presidential elections and of the constitutional referendum on EU accession of 2024, and bribery to corrupt several politicians from the Republic of Moldova. The Council also listed A7, a company with multiple ties to Moscow that has been linked to efforts to influence the Presidential elections and the 2024 Constitutional referendum on EU accession. Additionally, the Council listed Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, established by Ilan Shor and involved in spreading false information and in-vote buying schemes. The Cultural Educational Centre of Moldova has been listed for facilitating electoral interference in the 2024 Presidential elections. With today’s listings, the EU restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova now apply to a total of 23 individuals and 5 entities. Those listed are subject to an asset freeze. It is also prohibited to make available funds or access economic resources to them, either directly or indirectly. Additionally, a travel ban applies to the natural persons listed, preventing them from entering and transiting through the territories of Union Member States. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background In its conclusions of 26 June 2025, the European Council reaffirmed its commitment to continue working closely with the Republic of Moldova to enhance the country’s resilience and stability in the face of persistent destabilising activities by Russia, including hybrid attacks, aimed at undermining the country’s democratic institutions. EU restrictive measures were introduced in April 2023 at the request of the Republic of Moldova in order to target persons responsible for supporting or implementing actions which undermine or threaten its sovereignty and independence. Efforts to destabilise Moldova have noticeably increased since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and represent a direct threat to the stability and security of the external borders of the EU. The EU remains unwavering in its support for the Republic of Moldova and its peace, resilience, security, stability, and economic growth in the face of destabilising activities by external actors. Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1435 of 15 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 concerning restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1434 of 15 July 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/888 concerning restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 of 28 April 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova (Consolidated text 29 April 2025) EU relations with the Republic of Moldova (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   15/07/2025 15:55 | Press release | Human rights violations in Russia: EU lists further five individuals   The Council today imposed restrictive measures on five individuals responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia. The new listings target members of the Russian judiciary who played a key role in the persecution of the activist Alexei Gorinov, a former municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, who was sentenced to three years of imprisonment in a strict regime colony on politically motivated charges for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. While serving his sentence, Alexei Gorinov was subjected to ill-treatment, including inadequate medical care despite severe health conditions, prolonged placement in isolation cells, and sleep deprivation. Those designated today are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories. The EU remains unwavering in its condemnation of human rights violations and repressions in Russia, and is deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, especially in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background The Council established a new framework for restrictive measures against those responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses, repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia in March 2024 as the EU’s response to the accelerating and systematic repression in Russia. The regime allows the EU to target also those who provide support for or are involved in human rights violations in Russia. Furthermore, it entails trade restrictions on exporting equipment, which might be used for internal repression and the monitoring or interception of telecommunication. Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1438 of 15 July 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1485 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia (including the names of listed individuals) Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 of 27 May 2024 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia (consolidated version dated 28 May 2025) EU sanctions against Russia (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   15/07/2025 15:15 | Press release | Haiti: EU lists three individuals and renews sanctions regime for an additional year   Today the Council decided to list three individuals that have engaged in criminal activities and gang violence in Haiti, and are therefore responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of the country. The Council has listed three gang leaders: Micanor Altès, leader of the Wharf Jérémie gang responsible for the massacre of 207 people in December 2024; Christ-Roi Chéry, leader of the Ti Bwa gang, and Jeff Larose, leader of the Canaan gang, both responsible for forcible recruitment of children, kidnapping, homicides and sexual and gender-based violence. They will be subject to an asset freeze, and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit, is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to them. “A dangerous crisis is only getting worse in Haiti. Today the EU has imposed new targeted sanctions on individuals including those involved in mass killings, the forcible recruitment of children, kidnapping, homicides and sexual and gender-based violence. At this moment of grave instability, Haiti urgently needs support from the international community. Discussions at the UN Security Council should secure without further delay the future of the Multinational Security Support Mission including by giving it the financing it needs to fulfil its mandate of restoring peace, stability, and the rule of law in the country.” — Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Furthermore, the Council decided today to renew the EU framework for restrictive measures against those responsible for threatening the peace, stability and security of Haiti or undermining democracy and the rule of law in the country until 29 July 2026, as the EU remains concerned about the persistent and destabilising criminal activities, including the high levels of gang violence, that undermine the stability of the region. In its conclusions of 17 October 2024, the European Council stated it remained extremely concerned about the situation in Haiti and called for new targeted sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for violence, with the objective of helping to restore peace, security, stability, democracy and the rule of law in Haiti. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background On 21 October 2022, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2653 (2022), which established a sanctions regime on Haiti, including targeted assets freeze, travel restrictions and arms embargo measures. On 25 November 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti implementing that UNSC Resolution. On 28 July 2023, the Council amended its sanctions regime in view of the situation in Haiti, allowing the EU to autonomously impose restrictive measures on individuals and entities responsible for threatening the peace, security or stability of Haiti, or for undermining democracy or the rule of law in Haiti. This framework complements the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council in October 2022. Haiti remains firmly on the agenda of the EU. The EU’s support is twofold: on the one hand to strengthen the institutional capacity and on the other to facilitate the access to basic public services to the population in the very insecure and volatile context. The EU support entails macroeconomic assistance as well as assistance to education, food security and nutrition, disaster preparedness, protection and stability, including to the Haitian National Police. The European Union is a long-standing political and development partner of Haiti, and will continue to play its part alongside other regional partners, to help face the dire situation, including humanitarian crisis in the country. Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1429 of 15 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1433 of 15 July 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2309 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti Consolidated text dated 26 March 2025: Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 of 25 November 2022 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti European Council conclusions, 17 October 2024   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   15/07/2025 15:01 | Press release | Iran: Council sanctions eight individuals and one entity over serious human rights violations and transnational repression   The Council today imposed restrictive measures on eight persons and one entity under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions regime. They are responsible of committing serious human rights violations and abuses on behalf of the Iranian state bodies outside of Iran, in particular extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions and killings, as well as enforced disappearances of persons deemed to be opponents or critical of the actions or policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Today’s listings confirm the EU’s concerns about transnational repression by Iranian state bodies through the use of proxy agents, in particular involving criminals and organised crime networks targeting dissidents and human rights defenders across the world, including on EU territory. The Council is listing the Zindashti Network, a criminal group connected to the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) that has carried out numerous acts of transnational repression, including assassinations of Iranian dissidents and persons critical of the actions or policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Today’s listings also include the Zindashti Network’s boss Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti - an Iranian narcotics trafficker and organised crime boss -, and some of his criminal associates: Abdulvahap Kocak, Ali Esfanjani, Ali Kocak, Ekrem Oztunc, and Nihat Asan, who have been involved -among others- in the assassinations of the Iranian dissident Mas’ud Molavi Vardanjani and Iranian Gem TV owner, Saeed Karimian. The Council is also targeting Mohammed Ansari, the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Unit 840 who ordered the assassination of journalists critical of the Islamic Republic, and Reza Hamidiravari, an intelligence officer working for the MOIS, that oversees Naji Zindashti’s MOIS-directed operations. Those listed today are subject to an asset freeze, and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit, is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed. The European Union expresses its support for the fundamental aspiration of the people of Iran for a future where their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected, protected and fulfilled. The European Union reaffirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy approach considering all options at its disposal: critical where necessary, and ready to engage, on the basis of mutual respect, where interests align. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, established on 7 December 2020, enables the EU to target individuals, entities and bodies – including state and non-state actors – responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. On 4 December 2023, the Council prolonged the framework for restrictive measures under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime for three years, until 8 December 2026. The listings under the regime expire and are reviewed every 12 months. The EU follows the developments in this domain closely and, as a result, ensures that the listings are kept under constant review. Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1396 of 15 July 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses (including a list sanctioned individuals and entities) Consolidated text: Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 of 7 December 2020 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses (28 May 2025) EU Global Human Rights Regime: restrictive measures prolonged (press release, 4 December 2023) EU sanctions against Iran (background information) Protection and promotion of human rights (background information) How and when the EU adopts sanctions (background information)