Non-textiles

United Nations Sanctions : Sierra Leone and Angola

24-hour hotline : 2392 2922 e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk Ref. : TRA CR 1006/4   TRA CR 1006/5 4 April 2003 Trade and Industry Department Circular UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS : SIERRA LEONE AND ANGOLA This is to announce for general information that on 4 April 2003 the Government gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (Sierra Leone) (Prohibition against Importation of Diamonds) Regulation 2003 (L.N. 96 of 2003) and the United Nations Sanctions (Angola) (Repeal) Regulation 2003 (L.N. 95 of 2003). UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS (SIERRA LEONE) (PROHIBITION AGAINST IMPORTATION OF DIAMONDS) REGULATION 2003 This Regulation, made under section 3 of the United Nations Sanctions Ordinance (Cap. 537) (the Ordinance), is to give effect to a decision of the Security Council of the United Nations (UN) in Resolution 1446 of 4 December 2002. According to section 2 of the Regulation, any rough diamonds exported directly or indirectly from Sierra Leone are prohibited from being imported into the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Nevertheless, any diamond controlled through a certificate of origin regime established by the Government of Sierra Leone is excepted from this prohibition. This Regulation shall cease to have effect on 5 June 2003. UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS (ANGOLA) (REPEAL) REGULATION 2003 This Regulation, made under section 3 of the Ordinance, is to give effect to the decisions of the Security Council of the UN in Resolution 1439 of 18 October 2002 and Resolution 1448 of 9 December 2002 to repeal all sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council against Angola. The trade sanctions included the prohibition against supply of arms and related material, petroleum and petroleum products, aircraft or aircraft components, mining equipment, motorized vehicles or watercraft, and ground or waterborne transportation services to Angola, and prohibition against importation of diamonds from the country unless the diamonds are controlled through a specified Certificate of Origin regime. This Regulation, which repeals the United Nations Sanctions (Angola) Regulation (Cap. 537 subsidiary legislation) implementing all the sanctions against Angola and the United Nations Sanctions (Angola) (Suspension of Operation) Regulation 2002 (L.N. 151 of 2002) relating to travel restrictions and cancellation of travel documents, comes into effect on 4 April 2003. WARNING Contravention to the prohibitions imposed by the Regulation mentioned in paragraph 2 above attracts substantial penalties which may amount in some cases to imprisonment for 7 years and/or a fine. IMPORTANT NOTE This circular is NOT a statement of the Laws of Hong Kong and has NO legal status. Anyone interested in the Regulations should refer to the Government Gazette for details. The prohibitions in the Regulation mentioned in paragraph 2 above will apply to any person and company/registered business irrespective of and notwithstanding the possession of valid licences issued by the Director-General of Trade and Industry under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) and its subsidiary legislation and other Enactments. ENQUIRIES Enquiries concerning this circular can be directed to Mr Daniel YUEN at tel. no. 2398 5486. (Miss Susanna SUEN) for Director-General of Trade and Industry Note : While every endeavour has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department will not accept any responsibility for any loss or consequence caused by any reliance placed on such information.

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Last revision date: 04 April 2003