Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/275 of 22 February 2021 implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/275of 22 February 2021implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in VenezuelaTHE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 of 13 November 2017 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in VenezuelaOJ L 295, 14.11.2017, p. 21., and in particular Article 17(1) thereof,Having regard to the proposal of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,Whereas:(1)On 13 November 2017, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2017/2063.(2)On 7 December 2020, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the "High Representative") issued a declaration on behalf of the Union which stated that the Venezuelan elections of 6 December 2020 for the National Assembly regrettably went ahead without a national agreement on electoral conditions, failed to comply with the minimum international standards for a credible process, and failed to mobilise the Venezuelan people to participate. The declaration underlined that this lack of respect for political pluralism and the disqualification, and prosecution, of opposition leaders precluded the Union from recognising this electoral process as credible, inclusive or transparent, and its results as representative of the will of the Venezuelan people.(3)On 6 January 2021, the High Representative issued a second declaration on behalf of the Union on the Venezuelan elections for the National Assembly, which underlined the Union’s deep regrets that the National Assembly assumed its mandate on 5 January 2021 on the basis of the non-democratic elections. It also indicated that the elections of the National Assembly elected in 2015 were the last free expression of Venezuelans in an electoral process. Finally, the declaration mentioned that the Union stood ready to take additional targeted measures.(4)On 25 January 2021, the Council adopted Conclusions on Venezuela, stating that the Union deeply regrets that the legislative elections of 6 December 2020 were a missed opportunity for democracy, were held without a national agreement on electoral conditions, and failed to comply with the international standards for a democratic process. Moreover, the Council underscored that human rights must be respected. It also stated that there could be no way out of the political crisis in Venezuela if its citizens feared arrest and persecution, including of their families, for exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms.(5)The Council Conclusions of 25 January 2021 indicated that the Union, in view of the deteriorating situation of human rights, rule of law and democracy in Venezuela, stands ready to adopt additional targeted restrictive measures against those undermining democracy or the rule of law and those responsible for serious violations of human rights. These measures are designed not to harm the Venezuelan population, and can be reversed.(6)In this context, and in view of the continuing grave situation in Venezuela, 19 persons should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures in Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2017/2063.(7)Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 should therefore be amended accordingly,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: