EU AML/CTF blacklist

15.7.2020

Question for written answer E-004220/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Clare Daly (GUE/NGL)

The EU’s AML/CTF blacklist system has been criticised as racist [1] and as ‘a clear manifestation of Europeans’ longstanding penchant for domination, exploitation and brutality’. It has been criticised for the glaring omission of predominantly white, non-EU jurisdictions such as Gibraltar, Russia and the USA which are well known as money-laundering hotspots, and for the disproportionate inclusion of economically weak, non-white countries whose level of economic activity (including money laundering) is insignificant relative to that of EU Member States and other omitted countries.

• 1.Can the Commission address these criticisms and account for the fact that the EU’s AML/CTF blacklist is predominantly made up of non-white countries in the Global South?
• 2.Is it concerned that the penalties imposed as a consequence of blacklisting have the potential to damage irreparably the economies of blacklisted countries, particularly in light of the fact that most of the states blacklisted are economically weak to start with?

• [1] https://medium.com/@marladukharan/jaccuse-the-european-union-s-institutionalized-racism-and-bullying-f4186d092f62