2022-01-01

Circular No. (175) of 2022 Regarding Instructions for Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolutions for Banks

The Palestine Monetary Authority issued Circular No. 2022/175 to enforce Instructions No. 2022/1, which mandate the immediate establishment of an electronic portal for publishing UN and local sanctions lists concerning terrorist financing and weapons of mass destruction proliferation. The Committee for Implementing UN Security Council Resolutions must update these lists and disseminate amendments within a strict 16-hour timeframe, accompanied by clear guidelines for designated authorities and financial institutions on executing and lifting asset freezes. All regulated entities are required to subscribe to the portal and immediately implement the stipulated freezing and blocking measures upon publication.

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Palestine Monetary Authority

PALESTINE MONETARY AUTHORITY


Circular No. (2022/175)
To all banks operating in Palestine
Date: Thursday, 04 August, 2022


Subject: Instructions for Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolutions

A copy of the Instructions issued by the Committee for Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolutions No. (1) of 2022 regarding
the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the dedicated website for implementing sanctions is attached. You will also find, at the
electronic link indicated below, the registration and subscription link to the Committee's electronic website.

Accordingly, immediate measures are requested to implement the provisions of the Instructions and to subscribe to the Committee's electronic website.


Supervisory Group
Palestine Monetary Authority


Copies:

  • His Excellency the Attorney General – Respected Chairman of the Committee for Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolutions
  • The Honorable Members of the Financial Follow-up Unit

www.pma.ps Ramallah & Al-Bireh Governorate - Palestine P.O. Box 452 B - Palestine
info@pma.ps | Fax: +970 2 2415310 | Fax: Tel: +970 2 2415251 | Phone
Gaza - Palestine P.O. Box 4026 B - Gaza - Palestine
Fax: +970 8 2844487 | Fax: Tel: +970 8 2825713 | Phone


Instructions No. (2022/1)

Regarding the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions

Based on the provisions of Law-Decree No. (20) of 2015 regarding the combating of money laundering and terrorist financing and its amendments, particularly Article (47) thereof,
and Presidential Decree No. (14) of 2015 regarding the implementation of Security Council resolutions, particularly Article (10) thereof,
and after reviewing the amended internal regulations of the Committee for Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
And based on the powers delegated to us,
and in the public interest,
we have issued the following Instructions:


Article (1)

1. For the purposes of applying the provisions of these Instructions, the words and expressions contained herein shall have the meanings assigned to them, unless the context indicates otherwise:

The Committee: The Committee for Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolutions established pursuant to Article (47) of Law-Decree No. (20) of 2015 regarding the combating of money laundering and terrorist financing and its amendments.

UN List Related to Combating Terrorist Financing: A list of all persons and entities subject to targeted financial sanctions pursuant to relevant Security Council resolutions on terrorist financing, maintained by any sanctions committees, along with all specific information and identification details.

Local List: A list containing the names of listed persons and entities established by the Committee.


Article (2)

United Nations Security Council Resolutions Related to Combating Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: Resolutions issued by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter regarding the combating and prevention of proliferation financing, and all current, future, and subsequent related resolutions.

Electronic Website: The website dedicated to electronic sanctions lists, established pursuant to these Instructions.

2. Words and expressions not included in paragraph (1) of these Instructions shall have their designated meanings, unless the context indicates otherwise.


Article (3)

An electronic website is established pursuant to these Instructions for the purpose of publishing and disseminating the UN List and the Local List – and any amendments thereto – to the designated and competent supervisory authorities, financial institutions, specified businesses and professions, and any other person or entity.

The Committee Secretariat shall exercise the competencies and authorities stipulated in these Instructions.


Article (4)

The Committee shall undertake the following responsibilities:

1. Publishing the UN List Related to Combating Terrorist Financing and the Local List on the designated electronic website immediately and without delay, within a maximum of 16 hours from the issuance of these Instructions.

2. Publishing amendments to the UN List Related to Combating Terrorist Financing and the Local List via the electronic website, including any additions, deletions, or changes to listing information, and disseminating them to the designated and competent supervisory authorities, financial institutions, specified businesses and professions immediately and without delay, within a maximum of 16 hours from the publication of these amendments on the relevant UN website.

3. The publication and dissemination stipulated in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article must include guidelines or a link to guidelines regarding the obligations of the designated and competent supervisory authorities, financial institutions, specified businesses and professions, and taking the necessary measures to implement or lift freezing and blocking measures.

4. The publication and dissemination stipulated in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article must include the name of the person or entity listed or delisted from the UN List Related to Combating Terrorist Financing and the Local List, and the name of any person or entity on the UN List Related to Combating Terrorist Financing and the Local List that has been amended, along with full listing information and any explanatory summary.

5. For persons or entities newly listed on the UN List Related to Combating Terrorist Financing, the publication and dissemination stipulated in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article must include guidelines or a link to guidelines regarding submitting a request to delist their name to the United Nations Ombudsman Office or the UN De-listing Focal Point, as applicable.

6. For persons or entities newly listed on the Local List, the publication and


Article (5)

dissemination stipulated in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article must include guidelines or a link to guidelines regarding submitting a request to delist their name to the Committee for Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

7. Monitoring the publication of both lists and any amendments thereto in the Official Gazette.


Article (6)

The Committee Secretariat shall monitor the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions related to combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.


Article (7)

The Chairman of the Committee shall take the necessary measures to implement the provisions of these Instructions.


Article (8)

All entities shall implement the provisions of these Instructions as applicable to them, and they shall take effect from the date of issuance and be published in the Official Gazette.

Issued in Ramallah on: 2022/7/


Chairman and Members of the Committee for Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolutions:

  • 1 - Committee Chairman: [Signature]
  • 2 - Committee Member: Khureib Ghannam
  • 3 - Committee Member: Mohammad Hammama
  • 4 - Committee Member: Khuras Muhemd
  • 5 - Committee Member: Dr. Suleiman Al-Mikey
  • 6 - Committee Member: Hisham Jaber
  • 7 - Committee Member: Hussam Al-Muridi
  • 8 - Committee Member: Saeed Abd
  • 9 - Committee Member: Dr. Rashid Jihad
  • 10 - Committee Member: Yasser Bulson
  • 11 - Committee Member: [Signature]
  • 12 - Committee Member: Mohammad Abdul Halim
  • 13 - Committee Member: Dr. Khaled Al-Malhi