UK imposes first sanctions on human rights violators, abusers

The UK foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, announced on Monday that Britain has imposed sanctions on 49 individuals and organizations for their involvement in human rights violations and abuses in recent years.

Making the announcement in the parliament on Monday July 6, 2020, the Secretary stated the individuals and the organizations were the first wave of sanctions under the UK-only regime.

The regime has the power to deny entry into the country to the people with serious human right abuses and violations, prevent them from channeling money through the UK banks, or from benefiting from the UK economy through their property or other assets as their UK assets would be frozen.

The sanctions also include those who commit unlawful killings perpetrated against journalists and media workers or any human rights violations carried out on the ground of religion or belief.

“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,” said Raab.

The first wave of U.S sanctions targeted 25 Russian nationals connected with the killing of Sergei Magnitsky, an auditor who revealed corruption carried out by a group of Russian tax and police officials.

Also targeted are 20 Saudi citizens involved in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, 2 Myanmar high-ranking military generals involved in the systematic and brutal violence against the Rohingya people and other ethnic minorities.

The sanctions equally target 2 organizations in Russia involved in force labor, torture, and murder in North Korea’s gulag.

The secretary also that the UK new regime is a force for good and it is committed to stand for victims of human rights violations and abuses around the world.

“Today this government and this house sends a very clear message on behalf of the British people that those with blood on their hands, the thugs of despots, the henchman of dictators will not be free to waltz into this country,” he said.

The measures would also include those who in some way facilitate, promote or support human right violations and abuses around the world or anyone who benefit from it.

“The powers enable us to target a wider network of perpetrators including those who facilitate, incite, promote or support any of these crimes and this extends beyond state officials to non-state actors as well,” the secretary stated.