By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The rebel group that led the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – has long been under UN sanctions, which the special envoy of the UN for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called it “a complicating factor for all of us.”

Formerly known as the Nusra Front, HTS was the official branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria until severing ties in 2016. Since May 2014, the group has been on the United Nations Security Council sanctions list. United Nations against Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State and is subject to a global asset freeze and an asset freeze. arms embargo.

A number of HTS members are also subject to UN sanctions – travel bans, asset freezes and arms embargoes – including leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who has been on the list since July 2013.

Diplomats said there were currently no discussions about lifting U.N. sanctions against the group. Sanctions do not prevent communication with HTS.

WHY ARE THERE UN SANCTIONS ON HTS AND GOLANI?

UN sanctions were imposed on the Nusra Front because the group was associated with Al-Qaeda and “participated in the financing, planning, facilitation, preparation or perpetration of acts or activities” with or in support of Al-Qaeda and that he recruited and supported the Al-Nusra Front. Al-Qaeda activities.

“In January 2017, the Nusra Front established Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to strengthen its position in the Syrian insurgency and pursue its own goals as an affiliate of Al-Qaeda in Syria,” according to the list UN sanctions.

“Although the emergence of HTS has been variously described (e.g. as a merger or a name change), Nusra Front has continued to dominate and operate through HTS in pursuit of its goals,” he added.

Golani was also sanctioned for being associated with and working for Al-Qaeda.

HOW COULD UN SANCTIONS BE REMOVED?

A UN member state may at any time submit a request to lift sanctions against an entity or person to the 15-member Islamic State and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Security Council.

If the request comes from a country that did not initially propose the name of the UN sanctions, then the committee will make a decision by consensus.

If the delisting request is made by the country that initially proposed the name for sanctions, then the name will be removed from the list after 60 days – unless the committee agrees by consensus that the measures should be upheld.

But if there is no consensus, a member can request that the request be referred to the Security Council for a vote within 60 days.

It was not immediately clear which countries were proposing sanctions on Nusra Front and Golani.

A sanctioned person or entity can also request the lifting of measures by contacting an independent ombudsman – a position created by the council in 2009 – who reviews the request.

If the ombudsman recommends that a name remain on the list, it will remain there. If the mediator recommends the removal of a name, sanctions are lifted after a process that can take up to nine months – unless the committee agrees by consensus to act sooner or refers the matter to the board for a possible vote.

ARE THERE EXEMPTIONS TO SANCTIONS?

People subject to UN sanctions can request travel exemptions, which are decided by consensus by the committee.

The Council affirms that its sanctions “are not intended to have harmful humanitarian consequences for civilian populations”.

There is a humanitarian exemption for the UN and humanitarian groups allowing “the provision, processing or payment of funds, other financial assets or economic resources, or the provision of goods and services necessary to ensure delivery in timely humanitarian assistance or to support other activities that meet basic human needs.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Don Durfee, William Maclean)