The European Union’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, which aims to address serious human rights violations and abuses globally, was extended by the Council for another three years, ensuring its effectiveness until December 8 2026.
Through a statement issued yesterday, the EU Council noted that ongoing reviews will continue every baseline year to assess and maintain existing restrictive measures, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
According to the same, such a decision reaffirms the EU’s dedication to condemning human rights violations and abuses wherever they occur.
It also underscores the commitment to employ all available instruments, emphasising that human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent, and interrelated.
Established on December 7, 2020, the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime empowers the EU to focus on individuals, entities, and both state and non-state actors associated with or responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses on a global scale.
Sanctions currently apply to 67 natural and legal persons and 20 entities. Those targeted by restrictive measures are subject to a travel ban to the EU, as well as an asset freeze. Additionally, persons and entities in the EU are forbidden from making funds available to those listed.
In February 2023, the EU Council imposed restrictive measures against 32 individuals and two entities responsible for human rights violations in Iran.
These measures included high-ranking figures such as Iran’s Minister of Education and Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Moreover, individuals subject to these restrictions include the spokesman and deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, members of parliament advocating violent strikes, directors of various sectors, members of the judiciary across the country, and members of the police force.
During the same month, the Council of the EU imposed similar restrictive measures against nine individuals and seven entities in Myanmar/Burma, marking two years since the military coup. This decision of the Council was a response to the ongoing human rights violations, increasing violence, and threats to security, stability, and peace in Myanmar/Burma.
The Council further stated that these restrictive measures affect a total of 93 individuals and 18 entities. Notably, everyone on the EU sanctions list is subject to a travel ban, prohibiting them from entering or transiting through EU territory.
In addition to these measures mentioned above, the Council has emphasized the continuation of other restrictive measures, such as export restrictions, which remain in force.