PRINT
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
WASHINGTON, D.C.
OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL
Executive Order of September 17, 2021
Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons With Respect to the Humanitarian and Human Rights Crisis in Ethiopia
GENERAL LICENSE NO. 2
Certain Transactions in Support of Nongovernmental Organizations' Activities
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this general license, all transactions and activities prohibited by Executive Order (E.O.) of September 17, 2021 that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the activities described in paragraph (b) by nongovernmental organizations are authorized, including the processing and transfer of funds; payment of taxes, fees, and import duties; and purchase or receipt of permits, licenses, or public utility services.
(b) The activities referenced in paragraph (a) of this general license are as follows:
(1) Activities to support humanitarian projects to meet basic human needs in Ethiopia or Eritrea, including drought and flood relief; food, nutrition, and medicine distribution; the provision of health services; assistance for vulnerable or displaced populations, including individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and survivors of sexual- and gender-based violence; and environmental programs;
(2) Activities to support democracy building in Ethiopia or Eritrea, including activities to support rule of law, citizen participation, government accountability and transparency, human rights and fundamental freedoms, access to information, and civil society development projects;
(3) Activities to support education in Ethiopia or Eritrea, including combating illiteracy, increasing access to education, international exchanges, and assisting education reform projects;
(4) Activities to support non-commercial development projects in Ethiopia or Eritrea directly benefiting the people of such countries, including related to health, food security, and water and sanitation; and
(5) Activities to support environmental and natural resource protection in Ethiopia or Eritrea, including the preservation and protection of threatened or endangered species, responsible and transparent management of natural resources, and the remediation of pollution or other environmental damage.
(c) This general license does not authorize any transactions or activities otherwise prohibited by E.O. of September 17, 2021 or prohibited by any part of 31 CFR chapter V, statute, or other E.O.
Bradley T. Smith
Acting Director
Office of Foreign Assets Control
Dated: September 17, 2021
No external link available.
[2-09-2022 Update. This GL has been implemented in the ESR at 550.511. Removed from OFAC's website]
1) For comments on the aspects of NGO-related GLs such as this that are conducive to cross-programmatic comment, refer to General Note on GLs Authorizing Transactions of and Related to Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) (System Ed. Note).
2) A significant difference between this version and more common variants is that it authorizes activities related to "natural resource protection" and "responsible and transparent management of natural resources." There are other aspects of the GL that are unique, including the reference to "gender-based violence".
3) [RESERVED]
4) Read in conjunction with FAQ # 926, which specifies that "Ethiopia GL 2 authorizes certain transactions and activities involving nongovernmental organizations’ (NGOs) activities in Ethiopia or Eritrea, including: activities to support humanitarian projects and to meet basic human needs (such as, among other examples provided in GL 2, shelter and settlements assistance, water, sanitation, hygiene activities, and COVID-19 related assistance); activities to support democracy building (such as, among other examples provided in GL 2, activities to support conflict mitigation); activities to support education; activities to support non-commercial development projects directly benefiting the people of Ethiopia or Eritrea, including those related to health, food security, water and sanitation; and activities to support environmental and natural resource protection."
The underlined portions are, in effect, interpretations of the scope of the GL, since the underlined text does not appear in the GL.
See also FAQ # 938 (interpreting similar language in the SySR GL for NGOs in a way that appears to have cross-programmatic implications).