In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and atrocities perpetuated against Haitians on a daily basis, particularly women and girls, on November 3, 2022, the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations entered into force, listing two individuals in the Schedule in the Regulations. These sanctions target the political and economic elite who provide illicit financial and operational support to armed gangs.
On November 10, 2022, the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Haiti came into force. These regulations will implement the decisions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). On October 21, 2022, the UNSC adopted by consensus resolution 2653, which imposes a sanctions regime on Haiti, including a targeted assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. The measures target individuals engaging in, or supporting criminal activities and violence involving armed groups and criminal networks that promote violence. This includes the forcible recruitment of children by groups and networks, kidnappings, trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, and homicides and sexual and gender-based violence. The resolution establishes a UNSC Sanctions Committee, supported by a panel of experts, who will be responsible for identifying individuals and entities that should be the subject of sanctions. Pursuant to the regulations referenced above, these individuals will be automatically sanctioned by Canada.
In line with the sustained response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and atrocities perpetuated against Haitians on a daily basis, particularly women and girls, on November 17, 2022, the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations wered amended, listing six additional individuals in the Schedule in the Regulations. These sanctions target the political elite who use their position and influence to support criminal armed gangs spreading terror and violence in Haiti.