[COMMISSION-ONLY] Sanction Request Discussions

Inimicus · 19 Mar 2021, 08:33

Colleagues ( @Alkharya @Duxburian-Union ),

More than four member states have lodged a sanction request against the UNSR. Pursuant to the European Commission (Sanctioning Powers) Act, it is now up to the three of us to determine whether to grant the next step in the sanctioning process.

As you will have read in the original Request, the justification for sanctions against the UNSR is thus:

"Communist groups seized power in the territory of Icholasen last year, and have been a constant force for destabilisation and terror in the whole region. Our governments sincerely believe this regime must be toppled by whatever means necessary to ensure stability and peace in the region. The Kingdom of Montenbourg and the Empire of Inimicus, resolute in their friendship, request the Commission to enact region-wide sanctions against the Union of Nicolezian Socialist Republics, to isolate them from sources of arms, food, materials, and money, and to enact both economic, diplomatic, and individual sanctions against this regime. We stress the urgency of the current moment, realising the USNR have been free to act in whatever way they like thus far. This must stop."

I would like to ask both of you for your opinions on whether to grant this Request.

In line with the Sanctioning Act, this discussion will last until 24th March, 10am GMT at the latest, or earlier if a consensus is reached. I will then either prepare a Sanction Motion for the Council or dismiss the Request.

Dr Walter Cocx
Premier Commissioner

Alkharya · 19 Mar 2021, 17:41

I am against this sanction request, as it risks a possible famine for the Nicoleizian population living in the UNSR.

Münevver Birdane
Internal Affairs Commissioner of the European Union

Inimicus · 20 Mar 2021, 09:37

"Münevver, thank you for your honest opinion. I share your concern about the already impoverished state of the Nicolezian population. Fortunately, the Sanctions Act gives the Commission the power to propose exactly what sanctions are made. We could, for example, primarily include sanctions against individuals in government, diplomatic sanctions, and bans on exports of military equipment or raw materials to the UNSR, but leave food exports for what they are now.

"I would therefore propose to move forward with a package that includes widespread diplomatic sanctions as well as individual sanctions against members of the UNSR establishment, as well as a military arms export ban and a ban on exports of certain raw materials used in arms manufacturing. Would that be a satisfactory compromise?"

Dr Walter Cocx
Premier Commissioner

Alkharya · 20 Mar 2021, 10:23

That sounds like a good compromise, yes.

Münevver Birdane
Internal Affairs Commissioner of the European Union

Inimicus · 20 Mar 2021, 15:00

Very well, thank you for your constructive opinion. With this in mind, I propose the following sanctions package:

Economic Sanctions

Member states shall cease the export to and import from the UNSR of the following materials:
Aluminium oxide; Antimony; Beryllium; Borates; Carbon fibre; Chlorosulfonated polyethylene; Chromium; Cobalt; Coking; Europium; Fluorspar; Gallium; Germanium; Indium; Lanthanum; Magnesite; Magnesium; Natural graphite; Niobium; Platinum group metals; Phosphate rock; Rare earth elements; Silicon metal; Tungsten
Member states shall cease the export to and import from the USNR of any and all weaponry, ammunition, military-grade equipment, or any associated products or materials.

Diplomatic Sanctions

Except in the case of refugee applications, no visas to citizens of the UNSR shall be extended by any member state.
Any remaining diplomatic representation of the UNSR in the European Union or any member state is hereby suspended.

Individual Sanctions

These sanctions apply to the following individuals:
Michul Jirluchuz, Bernie Sanders, Jisuph Kaushuronu, Francoise Follin, Georgia Francis, any and all other ministers, presidents of individual Socialist Republics, any and all members of the UNSR politburo.
All assets held by the aforementioned individuals in member state shall be seizes as soon as practicable.
If found in the territory of any member state, the aforementioned individuals are to be arrested and tried in the European Court of Justice on charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes against peace.

Dr Walter Cocx
Premier Commissioner

Inimicus · 25 Mar 2021, 08:53

The deadline for this discussion now having expired, I will be presenting a Sanction Motion to the European Council forthwith.

Dr Walter Cocx
Premier Commissioner

Inimicus · 21 Apr 2021, 07:24

Colleagues ( @Alkharya @Duxburian-Union ),

As you will have seen, more than four member states have lodged a Sanction Request against the Federation of Istkalen, which, especially given the current situation there, appears to me both timely and necessary. The next stage in the Sanctioning process is a five-day Commission discussion on what sanctions package to introduce to the Council, if any. For this, I require your input. I propose a highly similar Sanctions package to the one proposed for the UNSR, explicitly excluding food and nutritional resources from Sanctions, as stressed by Sarah Gladwell.

My proposal is thus:

Economic Sanctions

Member states shall cease the export to and import from the Federation of Istkalen of the following materials:
Aluminium oxide; Antimony; Beryllium; Borates; Carbon fibre; Chlorosulfonated polyethylene; Chromium; Cobalt; Coking; Europium; Fluorspar; Gallium; Germanium; Indium; Lanthanum; Magnesite; Magnesium; Natural graphite; Niobium; Platinum group metals; Phosphate rock; Rare earth elements; Silicon metal; Tungsten
Member states shall cease the export to and import from the Federation of Istkalen of any and all weaponry, ammunition, military-grade equipment, or any associated products or materials.

Diplomatic Sanctions

Member states are encouraged to suspend the extension of visas to any citizens of the Federation of Istkalen, except in the case of refugee applications.
Member states are encouraged to suspend any remaining diplomatic representation of the Federation of Istkalen in their countries.
Any further representation of the Federation of Istkalen in the European Union is hereby suspended.

Individual Sanctions

These sanctions apply to any and all government officials of the Federation of Istkalen, its former and future iterations, as well as breakaway governments or authorities forming from the same.
These sanctions shall not apply to government officials from any interim government of the territory of the Federation of Istkalen formed by agreement between several member states or European authorities.
All assets held by sanctioned individuals in member states shall be seized as soon as practicable. Monetary assets are to be held by the European Central Bank until further notice.
Visas, travel permits, laissez-faires, or other state-issued documents, excepting refugee applications, shall not be extended to sanctioned individuals.
If found in the territory of any member state, sanctioned individuals are to be arrested and questioned -- member states shall be free to try these individuals in accordance with their own customs.

I will close discussion on this Sanctions Package on 26th April, 9am BST

Premier Commissioner Dr Walter Cocx