Weapons of mass destruction have wreaked havoc on populations and countries across the globe. This has resulted in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) taking steps to remove and disrupt the financing of weapons of mass destruction by developing Recommendation 7 which speaks to “Targeted Financial Sanctions Related to Proliferation”.
This recommendation requires countries to implement targeted financial sanctions against any person or entity which is designated by United Nations Resolutions 1718 and 2231 and their successor resolutions. Resolution 1718 examines nuclear relations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and 2231 speaks to persons or entities which provide support to or are involved in Iran’s nuclear programme. As such, countries are required to immediately freeze any funds or assets that facilitate the use of or trade in weapons of mass destruction whether held by any person or entity.
Countries are also required to establish the necessary legal and competent authority which would be responsible for circulating the designation list to all financial institution and/or Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) and enforcing these targeted sanctions such as freezing. The financial institution and/or DNFBPs on receiving the designation list from the competent authority has the responsibility of checking its database for any accounts held by any person or entity mentioned on the designation list and provide feedback to the competent authority. The competent authority will then instruct the financial institution and/or DNFBPs on what action is to be taken. Any person or entity may be removed from the designation list if they no longer fit the requirement. This information is then communicated to all relevant stakeholders and the requisite action is taken in relation their accounts. Whilst there have been no instances of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the Government of Saint Lucia continues to pay particular attention to its policies and strategies in this regard.
The onsite visit from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) assessors from September 16-27, 2019 will explore Saint Lucia’s compliance with this recommendation. Further information on Recommendation 7 can be had from the CFATF website at https://www.cfatf-gafic.org.
