Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1276 of 30 July 2021 implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1716 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1716 of 14 October 2019 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua (1), and in particular Article 13(1) thereof,

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

Whereas:

(1) On 14 October 2019, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2019/1716 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua.

(2) On 10 June 2021, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) issued a declaration on behalf of the Union in which he condemned the actions of the Nicaraguan authorities against opposition parties, media, journalists and other media workers, human rights defenders and civil society, including through the systematic detention and arrest of potential presidential candidates and opposition leaders. The High Representative indicated that the Union stands ready to use all instruments in view of the situation in Nicaragua, including the imposition of additional restrictive measures.

(3) In view of the continuing grave situation in Nicaragua, eight persons should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1716.

(4) Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1716 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1716 is amended as set out in the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 30 July 2021.

For the Council The President G. DOVŽAN

(1) OJ L 262, 15.10.2019, p. 1.