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#BlueStarBrief June 2020
 

Civic Demonstrations in the United States

We are deeply saddened by recent tragic events in the United States and persistent racial and social injustice and discrimination towards the African American community.

As civic demonstrations continue, we stand in support of all affected peoples and communities and reaffirm our commitment to—and respect for—the basic principles of human rights, individual dignity, and equal treatment before the law.

In this time of national crisis, we pray that true understanding, healing, and real transformation towards a brighter future and a more just society can emerge from a place of fear, pain, trauma, and darkness.

At Blue Star Strategies, we are committed to doing our part to promoting and supporting this change.


Coronavirus Phased Reopening


As countries and communities around the world move to reopen their societies amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, Blue Star Strategies is adhering to our local governments' phased reopening plans.

In Washington, DC, the Stay-at-Home Order was lifted on May 29, initiating Phase One of the District of Columbia's reopening approach. The approach is based on bipartisan recommendations developed by the ReOpen DC Advisory Group, co-chaired by former U.S. Ambassador and National Security Advisor Susan Rice and former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff.

  • The Advisory Group recommended a four (4)-phase approach to reopening businesses, government operations, services, and activities in the District, with each phase reducing restrictions and moving toward Phase Four, when District restrictions based on protecting public health would lift.

  • During the current Phase One stage, certain activities—where the risk of transmission has been determined to be low and when strong safeguards are in place—are being allowed to restart. Individuals living in, working in, and visiting Washington, DC are no longer ordered to stay at their residences. However, the Public Health Emergency remains in effect and gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited.

  • Once certain gated criteria are met, the District aims to initiate Phase Two, during which working from home would continue to be recommended, but up to 25% capacity in office spaces would be allowed with physical distancing.

We look forward to getting back into our offices while continuing to work remotely.


U.S. Puts Global Maritime Sector On Notice:
New Sanctions Advisory Requirements


On May 14, the U.S. Government issued a new Global Sanctions Advisory for the Maritime industry, energy and metals sectors, and related communities in the United States and around the world. The Advisory puts the vast maritime supply chain sector on notice by providing specific guidance and heightened compliance standards for both U.S. and non-U.S. entitiesranging from shipping companies, freight forwarders, and port operators to insurance companies, financial institutions, commodity traders, and beyond.

The U.S. Departments of State and Treasury and its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) recommend that maritime firms assess their exposure by establishing open lines of communication with relevant U.S. Government officesto exchange questions, seek clarification, and share informationareas where Blue Star Strategies has long standing experience.

By taking active measures to implement and bolster internal technical compliance policies and procedures, maritime entities can mitigate risk and avoid potential U.S. enforcement actions, including:

  • Legal, monetary penalties, and criminal referral to the Department of Justice.
  • Impact to relationships with financial institutions and insurance companies.
  • Reputational and related damages.

Click here to learn more about our work helping clients manage these risks.



Dan Erikson Speaks at Virtual Events on Haiti

Dan Erikson served as a featured panelist at two virtual events focusing on Haiti:

  • Discussion with Members of U.S. Congress on "An Impending Crisis: COVID-19 in Haiti, Ongoing Instability, and the Dangers of Continued U.S. Deportations"—hosted by Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson and joined by Chairman Eliot Engel of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Representatives Jim McGovern, Barbara Lee, Gregory Meeks, Jan Schakowsky, Andy Levin, and Ayanna Pressley.
  • Government, Private Sector, and Civil Society Discussion on "COVID-19: Innovation for a Fast and Sustainable Recovery"—hosted by the Institut Amedeus and the Foundation Dr. Louis G. Lamothe. Click here to watch.

In December 2019, Dan provided Congressional Testimony before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs at its Hearing on Haiti on the Brink: Assessing U.S. Policy Toward a Country in Crisis.

Click here to learn more about our Latin America practice's work successes.


 
 
 
 
 

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