Sanctions are an important foreign policy and national security tool. They are restrictive measures which are designed to be temporary and can be used to coerce a change in behaviour, to constrain behaviour, or to communicate a clear political message to other countries or persons. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK plays a central role in negotiating global sanctions to counter threats to international peace and security. Like all other UN states, the UK is obliged under international law to implement UN sanctions.
The UK and its international partners have also imposed and implemented sanctions in situations where the UN has chosen not to act, but where the UK has considered an international response was still necessary. Often this has involved close cooperation between the EU and the United States, with the support of others, including Canada, Australia, Switzerland and Norway. This has included creating new sanctions regimes, such as those in relation to Syria, and enhancing UN sanctions with additional autonomous measures, for example the sanctions against North Korea.
Matters surrounding sanctions and money laundering are currently dealt with through EU legislation. This is empowered through the European Communities Act 1972 or through legislation made under it. The European Communities Act 1972 will be repealed when the UK fully withdraws from the European Union (EU) on 31 December 2020, after which the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 will be in full effect.
The Act is divided into three main parts which enable the following provisions:
