Written question asked by Lord Callanan (Conservative) on Thursday, 10 July 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 July 2025. It was answered by Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour) on Thursday, 24 July 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Syria: Sanctions

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what conditions, criteria and evidence they used to inform the decisions to lift certain sanctions on Syria.

Answer: The Sanctions Act and the Regulations made under it provides the legal basis for the UK to impose, vary, and revoke sanctions designations and sectoral sanctions. On 25 April the UK lifted sanctions on several sectors, including trade, energy production, transport (aircraft) and finance, in order to reflect the change in circumstances in Syria, facilitate investment and support the Syrian people to rebuild their country and economy. The UK's sanctions regime continues to hold Assad and his associates to account for atrocities committed against the Syrian people. We keep our sanctions regime under review.

Secondary information