Libya

  • Last revised:10 April 2025

Purpose of the Sanctions Regime

This sanctions regime gives effect to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1970 (2011), and aims to:

  • promote respect for human rights in Libya
  • promote the peace, stability and security of Libya
  • promote the successful completion of Libya’s transition to a democratic, independent and united country, and
  • prevent migrant smuggling and human trafficking taking place from Libya

Overview of current sanctions measures

Current sanction measures implemented by Jersey in relation to Libya include:

  • asset freezes and restrictions on making funds and economic resources available to or for the benefit of designated persons
  • travel ban
  • prohibitions against the export of restricted goods, and import of arms and related materiel and internal repression goods
  • prohibitions against the supply and delivery, making available or acquiring, or transfer of certain goods and technology
  • prohibitions against providing technical assistance, financial services and funds, or brokering services relating to restricted goods and restricted technology
  • prohibitions against the enabling or facilitating the conduct of armed hostilities
  • prohibitions against transporting Libyan oil, port access or entry, bunkering or ship supply services in relation to UN designated ships
  • prohibitions against entering into financial transactions relating to Libyan oil aboard UN designated ships
  • prohibitions relating to the movement of aircraft used to transport to military goods or military personnel
  • prohibitions against the satisfying of claims with regard to contracts and transactions the performance of which was affected by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 883 (1993) and related resolutions
  • director disqualification sanctions

Latest news

9 April 2025

The UK Sanctions List has been updated, with amendments related to director disqualification sanctions to vary the designations of 2996 individuals and 818 entities.

*All published Latest News notices relating to financial sanctions, including those extending beyond the last 30 days, may be obtained from the Jersey Gazette

Jersey regime

The Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Implementation of External Sanctions) (Jersey) Order 2021 (the Jersey Order)  implements the Libya (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (the UK Regulations).

Article 3 of the Jersey Order imposes the asset-freeze provisions in Part 3 of the Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Jersey) Law 2019 (the SAFL) on any person listed by or under the UK Regulations. The Part 3 provisions also include, but are not limited to, Articles 15-17 of the SAFL on exceptions, licences, and circumventing prohibitions etc.

Offences

The offences for this regime are set out in in both the SAFL and the Jersey Order. 

Reporting obligations

Reporting obligations are set out at Article 32 of the SAFL and apply to all regimes in force. These obligations include requirements for a relevant financial institution to inform the Minister if:

  • it holds an account of a person, has entered into dealings or an agreement with a person or has been approached by or on behalf of a person, and
  • it knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that the person:
    • is a designated person, or;
    • has committed, is committing or intends to commit an offence under this Law, and 
  • the information or other matter on which the knowledge or reasonable cause for suspicion is based came to it in the course of carrying on its business.

Licences and exceptions

A Jersey General Licence, granted by the Minister, allows multiply parties to conduct specified activities that would otherwise be restricted by sanctions measures. Supervised persons must ensure that their activities are within the scope of the General Licence's terms and that they adhere to all its conditions.

The Minister may also grant a specific licence under the SAFL and/or the Jersey Order.

To apply for a specific sanctions licence a supervised person must complete the relevant Sanctions form and return the completed form to sanctions@gov.je.

The FSIU provides guidance on sanctions licences and exceptions  on the Government of Jersey website Sanctions.

Legal acts

Jersey

  • Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Jersey) Law 2019
  • Sanctions and Asset-Freezing (Implementation of External Sanctions) (Jersey) Order 2021

United Kingdom

  • The Libya (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020

United Nations Security Council

Further information

Useful information is provided on gov.uk regarding Financial sanctions, Libya

Sanctions evasion typologies examples: UNSC Panel of Experts reports