WILLEMSTAD – The government of Curaçao has officially enacted the Omnibus Sanctions Decree, creating a unified and modernized legal framework for enforcing international sanctions. This comprehensive decree consolidates and updates previous regulations, enabling the country to more effectively implement economic and military measures against states, organizations, and individuals involved in human rights violations, terrorism, or international conflicts.
The decree aligns Curaçao’s national law with European sanctions legislation, translating a wide array of international restrictions into local enforcement mechanisms. These sanctions impact trade with countries such as Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and Myanmar, as well as entities like ISIS, Hamas, and the Taliban. It also targets transactions related to chemical weapons, conflict diamonds, and cyberattacks.
Ban on Certain Goods and Services
The decree outlines a detailed list of prohibited goods and services that may no longer be supplied, sold, or transshipped if they violate existing sanctions. This includes weapons, oil, financial services, specialized knowledge, and technological assistance. Each country or conflict zone is subject to specific bans tailored to the situation.
Central Sanctions Office and Oversight
A key element of the decree is the establishment of a central sanctions office within the Ministry of General Affairs, which, along with other ministries, will oversee implementation. Regulatory bodies including customs, the harbormaster, the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, the Gaming Control Board, and the Chamber of Commerce have been assigned formal enforcement roles.
The decree also formalizes arms embargoes against countries such as Sudan, Syria, South Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic. Exemptions may be granted in special cases, such as for protective gear used by UN personnel or journalists.
National Terrorism Sanctions Introduced
For the first time, Curaçao now has the legal authority to impose national terrorism-related sanctions. The government can independently freeze assets of individuals or organizations involved in terrorism, as defined by the United Nations. A special advisory commission—comprising the Attorney General, the head of the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Chief of Police—will oversee these decisions.
With the implementation of the Omnibus Sanctions Decree, all previous individual sanctions decrees are repealed. Curaçao now has a cohesive, up-to-date, and enforceable legal structure that meets international standards and obligations in the field of sanctions enforcement.
