§ 542.516 Certain services in support of nongovernmental organizations' activities authorized.

(a) Nongovernmental organizations are authorized to engage in the following transactions and activities in support of the not-for-profit activities described in paragraph (b) of this section:

(1) Transactions with persons who meet the definition of the term Government of Syria, as defined in § 542.305(a), that would be prohibited by § 542.201(a)(1);

(2) New investment in Syria that would be prohibited by § 542.206;

(3) The exportation or reexportation of services to Syria that would be prohibited by § 542.207; and

(4) The purchase of refined petroleum products of Syrian origin for use in Syria that would be prohibited by § 542.209.

(b) The not-for-profit activities referenced in paragraph (a) of this section are:

(1) Activities to support humanitarian projects to meet basic human needs in Syria, including, but not limited to, drought relief, assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons, and conflict victims, food and medicine distribution, and the provision of health services;

(2) Activities to support democracy building in Syria, including, but not limited to, rule of law, citizen participation, government accountability, and civil society development projects;

(3) Activities to support education in Syria, including, but not limited to, combating illiteracy, increasing access to education, and assisting education reform projects;

(4) Activities to support non-commercial development projects directly benefiting the Syrian people, including, but not limited to, preventing infectious disease and promoting maternal/child health, sustainable agriculture, and clean water assistance; and

(5) Activities to support the preservation and protection of cultural heritage sites in Syria, including, but not limited to, museums, historic buildings, and archaeological sites.

(c) U.S. depository institutions, U.S. registered brokers or dealers in securities, and U.S. registered money transmitters are authorized to process transfers of funds on behalf of U.S. or third-country non-governmental organizations to or from Syria in support of the activities authorized by paragraph (a), provided that the transfer is not by, to, or through any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 542.201(a) other than persons who meet the definition of the term Government of Syria, as defined in § 542.305(a).

(d) U.S. persons engaging in transactions or processing transfers of funds to or from Syria in support of activities described in paragraph (b)(5) of this section are required to file quarterly reports no later than 30 days following the end of the calendar quarter with OFAC. The reports should include complete information on all activities and transactions undertaken pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section in support of the activities described in paragraph (b)(5) of this section that took place during the reporting period, including the parties involved, the value of the transactions, the services provided, and the dates of the transactions. The reports should be submitted via email to OFACreport@treasury.gov or via U.S. mail to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Licensing Division, U.S. Treasury Department, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Freedman's Bank Building, Washington, DC 20220.

(e) This section does not authorize:

(1) Any transactions or activities involving any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 542.201(a), other than persons who meet the definition of the term Government of Syria, as defined in § 542.305(a);

(2) The importation into the United States of petroleum or petroleum products of Syrian origin prohibited by § 542.208; or

(3) Any transactions or dealings in or related to petroleum or petroleum products of Syrian origin prohibited by § 542.209, except as authorized in paragraph (a) of this section.

(f) Nothing in this section authorizes nongovernmental organizations to undertake any transaction or dealing that involves any foreign person that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189), or otherwise designated as a terrorist organization, by the Secretary of State, in consultation with or upon the request of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security.

[79 FR 25416, May 2, 2014, as amended at 86 FR 67324, Nov. 26, 2021]