The Council of the European Union recently expanded the criteria used to sanction persons under Council Regulation (EC) No. 1183/2005 concerning violations of the arms embargo with regard to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Council Decision 2021/788/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against the DRC. On October 22, 2021, the Council adopted Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1863 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1866 to amend both DRC-related sanctions to include restrictive measures against those who sponsor, plan, direct or participate in attacks against medical or humanitarian personnel. Prior to the amendments, designations were limited to those who engaged in the “planning, directing, sponsoring or participating in attacks against MONUSCO peacekeepers, or United Nations personnel, including members of the Group of Experts.”
In September 2021, the UK adopted a similar amendment to extend DRC-related sanctions to include threats against medical or humanitarian personnel.
Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1863 | Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1866