UK sanctions 25 Russians, 20 Saudis, others over human rights abuses
Details of the
sanctions were contained in a statement by the British High Commission in
Nigeria Tuesday morning.
The 25 Russians were
sanctioned for their involvement “in the mistreatment and death of auditor
Sergei Magnitsky, who uncovered widespread Russian corruption by a group of
Russian tax and police officials” while the 20 Saudi nationals were “involved
in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.”
A total of 49
individuals and organisations were sanctioned.
Read the full
statement below.
UK ANNOUNCES FIRST SANCTIONS UNDER NEW GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS REGIME
The new
‘Magnitsky’-style sanctions regime will target those who have been involved in
some of the gravest human rights violations and abuses around the world
Forty-nine
individuals and organisations involved in some of the most notorious human
rights violations and abuses in recent years have been designated for sanctions
under a powerful new regime established today by the UK, the Foreign Secretary
has announced.
The individuals and
organisations are the first wave of designations under the new regime, with
further sanctions expected in the coming months.
From today, the
ground-breaking global regime means the UK has new powers to stop those
involved in serious human rights abuses and violations from entering the
country, channelling money through UK banks, or profiting from our economy.
The measures will
target individuals and organisations, rather than nations.
It is the first time
that the UK has sanctioned people or entities for human rights violations and
abuses under a UK-only regime, and will allow the UK to work independently with
allies such as the US, Canada, Australia and the European Union.
The UK’s first wave
of sanctions under this new regime targeted:
25 Russian nationals
involved in the mistreatment and death of auditor Sergei Magnitsky, who
uncovered widespread Russian corruption by a group of Russian tax and police
officials
20 Saudi nationals
involved in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
Two high-ranking
Myanmar military generals involved in the systematic and brutal violence
against the Rohingya people and other ethnic minorities
Two organisations
involved in the forced labour, torture and murder that takes place in North
Korea’s gulags
Underlining the UK’s
position as a global force for good, this new regime showcases our commitment
to the rules-based international system and to standing up for victims of human
rights violations and abuses around the world.
Foreign Secretary
Dominic Raab, said:
“Today we’re
designating 49 people and organisations for responsibility in some the worst
human rights abuses in recent memory.
“This is a
demonstration of Global Britain’s commitment to acting as a force for good in
the world.”
Following his
announcement in Parliament, the Foreign Secretary will meet with Sergei Magnitsky’s
widow and son Natalia and Nikita, along with his friend and colleague Bill
Browder, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The regime will
allow the UK to target individuals and organisations around the world unlike
conventional geographic sanctions regime, which only target a country.
It could also
include those who commit unlawful killings perpetrated against journalists and
media workers, or violations and abuses motivated on the grounds of religion or
belief.
A special unit will
consider the use of future sanctions, with teams across the department
monitoring human rights issues.
They will ensure
targets under the landmark regime will have to meet stringent legal tests
before the UK decides to designate, ensuring the sanctions are robust and
powerful.
The suite of
measures can also apply to those who facilitate, incite, promote, or support
these violations/abuses, as well as those who financially profit from human
rights violations and abuses.
The UK will continue
to utilise a range of tools to tackle serious human rights violations and
abuses around the world, including the UN and EU multilateral sanctions
regimes.
· The Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 is
secondary legislation laid under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act
2018
As specified in the
legislation, the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime can be used to impose
sanctions for serious violations or abuses of three human rights: an
individual’s right to life; right not to be subjected to torture or cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or right to be free from slavery,
not to be held in servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
· You can find a
link to the legislation here.
· You can find the
full list of designations here. Below you will find profiles of 12 high profile
people designated.
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