Financial Crime World

Mauritius Cracks Down on Sanctions Violations: An In-depth Look at the Island Nation’s Regime

Mauritius, known for its pristine beaches and vibrant economy, is not only an Indian Ocean paradise but also a staunch supporter of international sanctions regimes. In this article, we delve deeper into Mauritius’ stance on sanctions violations and the regulatory bodies enforcing its sanctions regime.

Mauritius’ Sanctions Regime: An Overview

  1. Does Mauritius have a sanctions regime in place? Answer: Yes. Mauritius, as a UN member state, strictly adheres to UN sanctions and has enacted legislation to reinforce compliance.

  2. Applicability of Mauritian Sanctions Mauritian sanctions apply to:

    • Any person in Mauritius
    • Mauritian citizens wherever located
    • Corporate entities operating in Mauritius
    • Corporate entities incorporated or constituted under Mauritian law
    • Overseas branches of Mauritian companies

  3. Implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions Answer: Absolutely. Mauritius is an active member of the UN and is obliged to implement all UN Security Council resolutions containing sanctions.

Types of Sanctions in Mauritius

  1. UN Sanctions
  2. Autonomous Terrorist Sanctions Mauritius has several acts in place to implement terrorist sanctions, such as:
    • The Financial Intelligence and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2002
    • The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2002
    • The Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism Act 2003

Consequences of Breaching Mauritian Sanctions

  • Violating Mauritian sanctions is a criminal offense
  • Penalties vary
  • Breaches of the United Nations (Financial Prohibitions, Arms Embargo and Travel Ban) Sanctions Act 2019 can result in fines up to one million rupees and imprisonment for up to ten years

Key Regulators Enforcing Mauritian Sanctions

  1. Financial Services Commission (FSC)

  2. Anti-Drug Smuggling Unit (ADSU) of the Mauritius Police Force

    • Works closely with other law enforcement and health agencies on drug control and treatment programs
    • Contact Details: +230 211 0877, adsuhq.mpf@govmu.org

  3. Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)

    • Responsible for requesting, receiving, analyzing, and disseminating financial information regarding suspected proceeds of crime and money laundering offenses, as well as the financing of terrorism-related activities
    • Contact Details: +230 454 1423, +230 466 2431, fiu@fiumauritius.org

  4. National Sanctions Secretariat (NSS)

    • Mauritius’ central agency for implementing targeted sanctions and other measures imposed by the UN Security Council
    • Contact Details: +230 201 1264, +230 201 1366, nssec@govmu.org

As a proud partner of the international community, Mauritius continues to uphold its commitment to combating illicit activities through its robust legal framework and experienced regulatory bodies.