EU GIVES ‘RED CARD’ TO CAMEROON OVER FISHING

On 5 January, EurActiv reported that the European Commission said in a statement it had identified Cameroon as a “non-cooperating country” earning the “red card” designation, and would ask EU Member States to add the country to a blacklist.  It is said that Cameroon continues to register fishing vessels operating outside its waters without sufficiently monitoring their activities — including one vessel involved in illegal fishing.  The “red card” could prevent Cameroon being able to export its fishery products to the EU – although no such exports happen because Cameroon’s products do not meet EU sanitary standards.  However, the designation could also ban EU companies from buying Cameroon-flagged fishing vessels or carrying out joint fishing operations with such vessels, or reflagging such vessels.  The Commission has issued illegal fishing “red cards” to 6 other countries since 2013: Belize, Cambodia, Comoros, Guinea, Sri Lanka, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – and, of those, Belize, Guinea and Sri Lanka have made changes to get off the blacklist.

https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/eu-gives-red-card-to-cameroon-over-fishing/

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_22_7890

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_22_7891

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

US AND TURKEY SANCTION ISIS FINANCIAL SUPPORT NETWORK

On 5 January, OFAC announced sanctions on 4 individuals and 2 entities in Türkiye, who have enabled the terrorist group’s recruitment and financial transfers to and from Iraq and Syria.  This follows OFAC’s designation in November of 4 individuals and 8 companies as part of an ISIS cell in South Africa, which was providing technical, financial, or material support to the terrorist group.

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1181

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20230105

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

FAQ: THE EU RULING ON OWNERSHIP TRANSPARENCY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR JOURNALISTS

On 5 January, OCCRP published this FAQ about the recent CJEU decision on access to beneficial ownership registers.

https://www.occrp.org/en/beneficial-ownership-data-is-critical-in-the-fight-against-corruption/faq-the-eu-ruling-on-ownership-transparency-and-what-it-means-for-journalists

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y