However, according to a core Security Council resolution on Syria adopted at the height of the civil conflict, HTS is regarded as a terrorist group.
Syrian and Lebanese families, who fled the escalating violence in Lebanon arrive in Syria.
That provision was adopted last week, just days before the fall of the Assad regime. This has turned out to be a godsend, because no one expected this to happen in Syria, and humanitarian organizations can operate there without fear of being cited for inadvertent sanctions violations.
UN News: Are there many other examples of this humanitarian carve out? For example, in Afghanistan, where the de facto rulers, the Taliban, are not widely accepted at an international level?
Kiho Cha: Yes, a Security Council resolution provides for such a humanitarian carve out in Afghanistan. And this has happened in other countries. Of course, enforcement and compliance of sanctions measures is important, but we also want to make sure that aid gets delivered in a timely manner and without fear of humanitarian organizations being cited for sanctions violations.
UN News: Are there similar carve outs to allow international negotiations to take place?
Kiho Cha: Yes, there are generally procedures by which a petitioner, usually an individual, would seek an exemption for a variety of reasons. For example, members of the Taliban who say that they need to travel outside of Afghanistan for political facilitation. But it could be for other reasons, such as medical needs. Petitioners can also apply for exemptions to the asset freeze.
UN News: What would it take for HTS to be delisted, and no longer proscribed as a terrorist organization?
Kiho Cha: A Member State would need to propose the delisting, and that proposal would then go to the relevant Security Council Committee.
The Committee – made up of representatives of all the 15 countries that make up the Security Council – would then need to make a unanimous decision to approve the proposal.
UN News: Has any such proposal been made so far?
Kiho Cha: There may be Member States discussing the possibility of proposing such delisting, but that request has not been made official.