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Sierra Leone

Update

In 1998, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1171, which decided upon measures regarding Sierra Leone. In accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, these measures were binding upon all states and Canada implemented them by making the United Nations Sierra Leone Regulations.

On September 29, 2010, the Security Council decided in Resolution 1940 to terminate the measures that it had imposed. Since this decision took effect immediately, Canada is now in the process of repealing the United Nations Sierra Leone Regulations.

Overview

On October 8, 1997, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1132 imposing sanctions against Sierra Leone in response to the violence and loss of life and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Sierra Leone following the military coup of May 25, 1997. The sanctions regime was subsequently modified by the adoption of a number of resolutions, including Resolutions 1156 (1998), 1171 (1998), 1306 (2000), and 1446 (2002).

The United Nations Sierra Leone Regulations, as amended, implement the decisions of the Security Council in Canadian domestic law. Implementation of the travel ban imposed by Resolution 1171 (1998) is ensured in Canada under existing provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Sanctions

The measures imposed against Sierra Leone include:

a prohibition on the export of arms and related materiel to any person in Sierra Leone; and
a travel ban against persons designated by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1132 to oversee the sanctions measures (1132 Committee).