4.5.2012 Official Journal of the European Union L 119/43 DECISIONS COUNCIL DECISION 2012/237|CFSP of 3 May 2012 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies threatening the peace, security or stability of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof, Whereas: (1)  In view of the seriousness of the current situation in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, the Council considers it necessary to adopt measures targeting those who seek to prevent or block a peaceful political process or who take action that undermines stability in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, in particular those who played a leading role in the mutiny of 1 April 2010 and the coup d'état of 12 April 2012 and who aim, through their actions, at undermining the rule of law, curtailing the primacy of civilian power and furthering impunity and instability in the country. (2)  Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the entry into, or transit through, their territories of persons engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and persons associated with them, as listed in the Annex. 2. Paragraph 1 shall not oblige a Member State to refuse its own nationals entry into its territory. 3. Paragraph 1 shall be without prejudice to the cases where a Member State is bound by an obligation of international law, namely: (a) as a host country of an international intergovernmental organisation; (b) as a host country to an international conference convened by, or under the auspices of, the United Nations; (c) under a multilateral agreement conferring privileges and immunities; or (d) under the 1929 Treaty of Conciliation (Lateran pact) concluded by the Holy See (State of the Vatican City) and Italy. 4. Paragraph 3 shall be considered as applying also in cases where a Member State is host country of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). 5. The Council shall be duly informed in all cases where a Member State grants an exemption pursuant to paragraphs 3 or 4. 6. Member States may grant exemptions from the measures imposed under paragraph 1 where travel is justified on the grounds of urgent humanitarian need, or on grounds of attending  intergovernmental meetings, including  those promoted by the Union, or hosted by a Member State holding the Chairmanship in office of the OSCE, where a political dialogue is conducted that directly promotes democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. 7. A Member State wishing to grant exemptions referred to in paragraph 6 shall notify the Council in writing. The exemption shall be deemed to be granted unless one or more of the Council members raises an objection in writing within two working days of receipt of the notification of the proposed exemption. Should one or more Council members raise an objection, the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may decide to grant the proposed exemption. 8.  In cases where, pursuant to paragraphs 3, 4, 6 and 7, a Member State authorises the entry into, or transit through, its territory of persons listed in the Annex, the authorisation shall be limited to the purpose for which it is given and to the persons concerned thereby. Article 2 1. All funds and economic resources belonging to, owned, held or controlled by natural or legal persons, entities or bodies engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and natural or legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them, as listed in the Annex, shall be frozen. 2. No funds or economic resources shall be made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of the natural or legal persons, entities or bodies listed in the Annex. 3. The competent authority of a Member State may authorise the release of certain frozen funds or economic resources or the making available of certain funds or economic resources, under such conditions as it deems appropriate, after having determined that the funds or economic resources concerned are: