COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2025/601

of 24 March 2025

amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 of 25 November 2022 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti (1), and in particular Article 8(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1)	On 25 November 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319.

(2)	On 18 October 2024, the United Nations Security Council (the ‘Security Council’) adopted United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2752 (2024) determining that the situation in Haiti continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security and to the stability of the region.

(3)

In UNSCR 2752 (2024), the Security Council expressed grave concern about the extremely high levels of gang violence and other criminal activities as well as the implications of Haiti’s situation for the region. The Security Council also expressed deep concern that illicit trafficking and diversion of arms and ammunition to armed gangs in Haiti that engage in persistent and destabilising criminal activities contribute to undermining the rule of law and respect for human rights, can impede the provision of humanitarian assistance, and can have wide ranging negative humanitarian and socioeconomic consequences.

(4)

Paragraph 1 of UNSCR 2752 (2024) clarifies that actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Haiti include the illicit exploitation of natural resources or illicit trade in natural resources. The Council considers that that clarification should be included in the Union restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti in order to ensure consistency, given that the asset freeze and travel restriction measures decided upon by the Security Council and by the relevant Security Council Sanctions Committee have already been included in the Union restrictive measures.

(5)

Paragraph 2 of UNSCR 2752 (2024) introduces a prohibition on the supply, sale or transfer to Haiti of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment and spare parts for the aforementioned. It also introduces a prohibition on technical assistance, training, financial or other assistance related to military activities or the provision, maintenance or use of any arms and related materiel. UNSCR 2752 (2024) therefore replaces the arms embargo related to small arms, light weapons and ammunition pursuant to UNSCR 2699 (2023).

(6)	Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures.

(7)	Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 is amended as follows:

(1)

Article 1 is amended as follows:

(a)

paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1. The direct or indirect supply, sale, transfer or export of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment and spare parts for the aforementioned to Haiti, from or through the territories of Member States or by nationals of Member States, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, shall be prohibited whether originating or not in their territories.’

;

(b)

paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2. It shall be prohibited to:

(a)	provide technical assistance, training, brokering services or other assistance related to military activities or the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of any arms and related materiel, directly or indirectly to Haiti;

(b)

provide financing or financial assistance related to military activities or the provision, manufacture, maintenance and use of any arms and related materiel, including but not limited to grants, loans and export credit insurance, as well as insurance and reinsurance for any sale, supply, transfer or export of arms and related materiel, or the provision of related technical assistance, training, brokering services or other assistance, directly or indirectly to Haiti.’

;

(c)

paragraph 6 is replaced by the following:

‘6. The prohibitions set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to:

(a)

the supply, sale, transfer or export of arms and related materiel, or the provision of technical assistance, training, brokering services, other assistance or personnel or the provision of financing or financial assistance, to or by the United Nations or a United Nations-authorised mission or to a security unit that operates under the command of the Government of Haiti, intended to be used by, or in coordination with, those entities and intended solely to further the objectives of peace and stability in Haiti;

(b)

the supply, sale, transfer or export of arms and related materiel, the provision of technical assistance, training, brokering services, other assistance or personnel or the provision of financing or financial assistance to Haiti, as approved in advance by the Sanctions Committee to further the objectives of peace and stability in Haiti;

(c)

the supply, sale, transfer or export of non-lethal military equipment to Haiti intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, or the provision of related technical assistance, training, brokering services or other assistance or of financing or financial assistance, when intended to further the objectives of peace and stability in Haiti.’

;

(2)	Article 1a is deleted;

(3)

in Article 2(1), first subparagraph, the following point is added:

‘(i)	engaging in illicit exploitation of natural resources or illicit trade in natural resources.’

;

(4)

in Article 2a(1), first subparagraph, point (a), the following sub-point is added:

‘(ix)

engaging in illicit exploitation of natural resources or illicit trade in natural resources;’

;

(5)

in Article 3(1), first subparagraph, the following point is added:

‘(i)	engaging in illicit exploitation of natural resources or illicit trade in natural resources.’

;

(6)

in Article 3a(1), first subparagraph, point (a), the following sub-point is added:

‘(ix)

engaging in illicit exploitation of natural resources or illicit trade in natural resources;’.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 24 March 2025.

For the Council

The President

C. SIEKIERSKI

(1) OJ L 307, 28.11.2022, p. 135, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2022/2319/oj.