Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 215 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2014/932/CFSP of 18 December 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Yemen^f1,

Having regard to the joint proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission,

Whereas:

On 18 December 2014, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 1352/2014^f2.

On 25 February 2020, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2511 (2020).

United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2511 (2020) emphasises the importance of facilitating humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, UNSCR 2511 (2020) provides that the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 19 of UNSCR 2140 (2014) may, on a case-by-case basis, authorise activities which are necessary to facilitate the work of the United Nations and other humanitarian organisations in Yemen or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of UNSCR 2140 (2014) and UNSCR 2216 (2015).

UNSCR 2511 (2020) also specifies that sexual violence in armed conflict, and the recruitment or use of children in armed conflict in violation of international law, are sanctionable acts.

On 2 April 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/490^f3, which amends Decision 2014/932/CFSP in accordance with UNSCR 2511 (2020).

Certain of these amendments fall within the scope of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and regulatory action at the level of the Union is therefore necessary in order to implement them, in particular with a view to ensuring the uniform application by economic operators in all Member States.

Council Regulation (EU) No 1352/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: