The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is undertaking public consultation on proposed amendments to the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011.
The proposed amendments would introduce new criteria for inclusion in the list for Afghanistan, including an arms embargo and a ban on weapons-related services. New criteria would allow the Minister of Foreign Affairs to impose targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on individuals or entities responsible for oppressing women and girls in Afghanistan or undermining the rule of law in general.
While Australia is preparing new sanctions, Russia is strengthening cooperation with Afghan authorities. Consultations with a delegation from Afghanistan started in Russia on October 7.
“We state that, during its four-year period in power, the government of the Islamic Emirate has become stronger and confidently governed the state,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
At the same time, he acknowledged that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remained difficult, aggravated by natural disasters and an unstable climate, with more than half of the population (22 million out of a total of 39 million) needing humanitarian assistance, and 21 million people not having access to clean drinking water or basic medical services.
