International restrictive measures

Published: 25/5/2015 Modified: 4/11/2022
International restrictive measures apply to persons and other entities under some form of sanctions because of any type of terrorism. The measures are introduced on the basis of the Act on International Restrictive Measures and are further regulated by a decision. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs maintains the Database, issues guidelines and updates the overview of sanction regimes. The EU publishes autonomous measures, in addition to those introduced by the UN Security Council and publishes guidelines for the enforcement of such measures under the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

International restrictive measures are restrictions or obligations towards states, international organisations, natural and legal persons and other entities that may be comprised by international restrictive measures laid down in legal acts of the United Nations, the European Union or the European Community and other international organisations which are binding for the Republic of Croatia. They are also restrictions or obligations introduced by the Republic of Croatia in another manner, in line with international law or the law of the European Union.

The Act on International Restrictive Measures regulates the procedure of introduction, application and abolition of international restrictive measures that the Republic of Croatia introduces, applies and abolishes in line with international acts and decisions accepted within the framework of international organisations, with the objective of establishing and/or maintaining international peace and security, respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, developing and strengthening democracy and state of law and other objectives harmonised with international law.

Restrictive measures may also be: severance of diplomatic relations, total or partial termination of economic relations, total or partial restriction of import, export, transit, provision of services, and of transport, mail and other communications, arms embargo, restriction upon entry into the country, restricted disposal of assets, and other measures in line with international law.

International restrictive measures are regulated in more detail by the Decision on the manner of implementing international restrictive measures against asset disposal (OG 78/2011). The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs maintains the Database in accordance with the Decision on the manner of maintaining of the Database on restrictive measures, natural and legal persons and other entities to whom the restrictive measures apply (OG 78/2011). Obligated persons can refer to the Guidelines for the implementation of restrictive measures against asset disposal pursuant to the Act on International Restrictive Measures and EU Best Practices for the effective implementation of restrictive measures. As a fully fledged member of the European Union, the Republic of Croatia should also apply Autonomous EU measures. Several sanctions have been adopted for the individual jurisdiction or entity under some form of sanctions. For this reason, the updated EU Sanctions Map is very useful.

The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) enables the Union to take a leading role in peace-keeping operations, conflict prevention and in the strengthening of the international security. It is an integral part of the EU's comprehensive approach towards crisis management, drawing on civilian and military assets.