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Sanctions Profile: Human Rights
At a glance
In December 2020, the EU adopted Council Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 to establish a new sanctions regime to address serious human rights abuses worldwide.
In July 2020, the UK adopted the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 under the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act 2018 to deter and provide accountability for activities which if carried out by or on behalf of a State, would amount to a serious violation of certain human rights.
News
European Parliament calls for EU anti-corruption sanctions
The European Parliament (EP) has adopted a Text recommending that the EU Council should propose introducing corruption sanctions (as the UK has done). The idea is to target “economic and financial enablers of human rights abusers detaining assets and properties in the EU”. The Parliament suggests this could be done either by extending the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime …
US & EU sanctions regimes renewed & third countries align with EU sanctions
In recent weeks, the following sanctions regimes have been renewed: The EU extended its Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) sanctions regime until 12 December 2022 Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/2181 (Press Release). The EU renewed its Russia sanctions regime for 6 months, until 31 July 2022 Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/52 (Press Release). The US renewed its regime in respect of …
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Russia 
Human Rights 
Corruption 
Belarus 
Syria 
Guinea-Bissau 
Mali 
Burundi
UK imposes human rights sanctions on 2 accused of Litvinenko killing
The UK has designated former Russian military personnel Dmitry Vadimovich Kovtun and Andrey Konstantinovich Lugovoy (also a Russian MP) pursuant the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations. Notice. Mr Kovtun and Mr Lugovoy were found to be responsible for the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in November 2006 by the Litvinenko Inquiry. They are both also subject to an Anti-Terrorism, Crime and …
EU designates Wagner Group & linked people/entities
The EU has imposed sanctions on the Wagner Group, a Russian private military organisation, as well as 8 people and 3 entities for their involvement in serious human rights abuses in, and the destabilisation of, Ukraine, Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic (CAR), Sudan and Mozambique. Press Release. Foreign Affairs Council Outcomes. Listed on the EU’s human rights sanctions list: …
Libya
UK Parliament debates human rights sanctions
On 8 December 2021, the UK Parliament held a Westminster Hall debate, ‘Magnitsky Sanctions: Human Rights Abuses’. Recording. MPs discussed human rights situations in China, Iran, Sudan, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, and recommended a list of people to be designated pursuant to the UK’s human rights sanctions regime. Those suggested include: Chen Quanguo, Zhu Hailun, Peng Jiarui, Sun …