The legal team representing Palestinian activist Majed Al-Zeer announced that they have initiated legal proceedings to challenge the US Treasury Department’s decision to place his name on the US sanctions list known as the “Specially Designated Nationals” (SDN) list, confirming that the case remains under review by the relevant US authorities.
The law firm “ADAS Avocats,” based in Lyon, France, stated in a press release issued on 22nd June 2023, that its client, Majed Al-Zeer, had—through his legal team—filed a formal challenge to the US decision immediately after it was issued, as part of legal efforts aimed at having his name removed from the sanctions list.
The firm explained that this legal step involved submitting a request for reconsideration to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury Department, the agency responsible for administering and enforcing US economic and trade sanctions programs.
The statement emphasised that the request is based on established US legal procedures regarding petitions for removal from sanctions lists, noting that the defence team is pursuing these measures to protect their client’s rights and safeguard his reputation. The office added that it had engaged in various forms of correspondence and communication with the US Department of the Treasury over the recent period, reflecting Al-Zeer’s rejection of the decision to include his name on the US sanctions list and his request for a review of that decision.
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According to the statement, Majed Al-Zeer considers the decision taken against him to be “unjust and unjustified,” maintaining that it lacks credible evidence to warrant his inclusion in the US sanctions regime.
The statement provided no further details regarding the nature of the ongoing correspondence or the expected timeline for a US decision on the request, noting only that the matter remains under review by the relevant authorities.
The US system allows individuals and entities on sanctions lists to submit formal requests for reconsideration of their listing, as well as to present documents and legal arguments they believe support the removal of their names from those lists.
This legal step coincides with the continued efforts of Al-Zeer’s defence team to pursue the case through available legal channels, pending a response from US authorities regarding the request for reconsideration.
The French law firm concluded its statement by confirming that legal proceedings concerning the case are ongoing, noting that the file remains open and no final decision has yet been issued.
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