Wellington, 8 March 2022 (TDI): New Zealand has decided to implement sanctions on Russia imposed by the United Nations Security Council in a regulation made under the United Nation act 1946.
Sanctions are a common tool for seeking to influence Foreign governments and individuals to change their behavior. As a United Nations member state, New Zealand is bound by the United Nations Security Council’s decisions.
Aotearoa New Zealand has banned Russian and Belarusian individuals responsible for the invasion of Ukraine 🇺🇦 from travelling to New Zealand. This includes senior Russian political leaders. See the current list here ⬇️ #standwithukraine https://t.co/mi5o8VK0eW
— New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (@MFATNZ) March 7, 2022
New Zealand’s response to Russia’s aggressive violations of international law built a strong stance. New Zealand endeavors to participate with everything tangible possible to oppose Russia’s invasion along with sanctions on regimes like Russian allies.
In this regard, New Zealand is heading for a bill through its parliament for an autonomous sanction bill. This bill will impose sanctions against Russia and its oligarchs.
As stated by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern “a bill of this nature has never been brought before our Parliament but with Russia vetoing United Nation sanctions we have to enact ourselves to support Ukraine and our partners in opposition to this invasion”.
This bill is patronized very much like the Magnitsky Act of legislation. The Magnitsky legislation formerly known as the -Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal Act of 2012.
The Magnitsky rule of law provides governments to impose sanctions against foreign individuals and countries who have committed human abuses and violations involved in significant corruption.
This is considered to be a very effective and targeted approach to deal with gross human rights violators, kleptocracy, and forms of personalized corruption.
New Zealand initially responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a targeted travel ban, prohibiting export to the military and suspending bilateral ministry consultations.
The new sanctions will enable the government to freeze assets located in New Zealand and prevent those sanctions from moving assets to the county or using its financial system as “a back door to get around sanctions ” imposed by other countries.
The new law would also sanction states that are complicit with Russia including Belarus. Sanctions are also applicable to trade and financial institutions, Russian superyachts, ships, and aircraft from entering New Zealand waters and airspace.
New Zealand continues to call on Russia to do what is right and cease the military operation in Ukraine and permanently withdraw its forces to avoid catastrophic loss of human life.
By being part of a united front on sanctions New Zealand is considering offering Ukraine logistics support with non-lethal military aid such as medical packs and body armor.
New Zealand is providing an initial 2 million dollars in humanitarian aid, prioritizing visa applications, and releasing some emergency oil stocks to help stabilize the turbulent oil market.
