Hizbollah designation hints at post-Brexit sanctions autonomy

The UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (‘OFSI’) has announced that it has designated Hizbollah under the Terrorist Asset Freezing Act (‘TAFA’). Observers have noted that this may be indicative of the UK pursuing its own sanctions-policy path in anticipation of its exit from the European Union (Brexit) on 31 January: currently, the EU has only imposed sanctions on the Hizbollah Military Wing.

The OFSI General Notice of Financial Designation states:

‘The following entry has been added to the consolidated list and is now subject to an asset freeze with effect from Thursday 16 January 2020:

• HIZBALLAH (Group ID: 13804)The following entry has been amended on the consolidated list and is no longer designated under the Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (TAFA):
• HIZBALLAH MILITARY WING (Group ID: 7177)
  HIZBALLAH MILITARY WING continues to be subject to the financial sanctions imposed by Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 and is therefore still subject to an asset freeze.’

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/current-list-of-designated-persons-terrorism-and-terrorist-financing