Canadian Sanctions Related to Liberia

Prohibitions

The measures imposed against Liberia have been repealed.

Background

On March 7, 2001, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1343 imposing sanctions against Liberia in response to former President Taylor's support for the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone. Additional sanctions were imposed by the adoption of Resolution 1478 (2003) on May 6, 2003. To reflect changing circumstances in Liberia, the sanctions regime was subsequently replaced and revised by the adoption of a number of resolutions, including resolutions 1521 (2003) and 1532 (2004).

In accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, decisions of the Security Council are binding on all member states and Canada implemented them by making the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Liberia which entered into force July 12, 2001. Implementation of the travel ban imposed by Resolution 1521 (2003), was ensured in Canada under existing provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

On May 25, 2016, the Security Council decided in Resolution 2288 to terminate the measures that it had imposed.  On April 13, 2017, Canada repealed the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Liberia.

Selected documents

Related Links

• United Nations Security Council 1521 Committee (information concerning the work of the Committee including related UN Security Council resolutions and a consolidated list of designated persons)
• Export and Import Controls
• Canada - Liberia Relations

Legal Advice

Please be advised that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide legal advice to members of the public. For this reason, we cannot deliver an opinion as to whether or not a specific activity or transaction would contravene sanctions legislation. You should consider seeking legal advice in relation to an activity that may contravene a Canadian sanction law.