UK announces first sanctions under new global human rights regime

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.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

·         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.

RUSSIA

1)    Aleksey Vasilyevich Anichin: As a deputy Minister in the Russian Interior Ministry and the head of the Investigative Committee, was involved in the mistreatment of Sergei Magnitsky whilst in detention, which contributed significantly to his death on 16 November 2009.  Anichin oversaw a ‘team’ of investigators who failed to investigate complaints made by Magnitsky about his mistreatment and concealed evidence of Magnitsky’s deteriorating medical condition.  

2)    Oleg Silchenko: Was an investigator in the Investigative Committee of the Russian Interior Ministry and was directly involved in the mistreatment of Sergei Magnitsky whilst in detention, which contributed significantly to his death on 16 November 2009. Silchenko made six applications to extend Magnitsky’s detention period (despite his deteriorating medical condition), refused Magnitsky access to his family and engaged in the oppressive questioning and other mistreatment of Magnitsky to pressurise him to retract his allegations of corruption against Interior Ministry officials.

SAUDI ARABIA

3)    Ahmed Hassan Mohammed Al Asiri: Held the position of Deputy Head of the Saudi Intelligence services (General  intelligence Presidency, GIP) in Saudi Arabia. He was involved in the unlawful killing of Jamal Khashoggi. He was a senior official involved in commissioning the 15 man team sent to Turkey to kill Jamal Khashoggi.

4)    Saud Abdullah Al Qahtani: Held the position of advisor to the Crown Prince in the royal court. He was involved in the unlawful killing of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul on 2 October 2018. He was a senior official who planned and directed the killing using a 15 man team. 

5)    Salah Muhammed Al Tubaigy: Held the position of Forensic doctor with the Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia and Professor in the Department of Criminal Evidence at Naif Arab University. He was involved in the unlawful killing of Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018 as part of the 15 man team sent to Turkey by Saudi authorities. Dr Tubaigy was present at the time of Jamal Khashoggi’s death and held a direct role in Jamal Khashoggi’s killing and in the concealment of evidence relating to his death.

6)    Mustafa Mohammed Al Madani: Held the position of Brigadier General and Intelligence Officer in Saudi Arabia. He was present during the unlawful killing of Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018, and played an active part of the 15 man team sent to Turkey by Saudi authorities, including through the concealment of evidence relating to the killing.

7)    Naif Hassan Al Arifi: Held the position of First Lieutenant, External Intelligence, and worked in the Office of the Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia. He was involved in the unlawful killing of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul on 2 October 2018, as part of the 15 man team sent to Turkey by Saudi authorities. In particular, he was involved in the concealment of evidence at the Saudi Consul General’s residence following the killing. 

8)    Mansour Othman Abahussain: Held the position of Major General and worked in the office of the Crown Prince. He was involved in the unlawful killing of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul on 2 October 2018, as part of the 15 man team sent to Turkey by Saudi authorities. He was involved in the concealment of evidence at the Saudi Consul General’s residence following the killing.

MYANMAR

9)    Min Aung Hlaing: Is Commander in Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw). In this role, he was responsible for military operations carried out in Rakhine State in 2017 and in 2019 and is responsible for atrocities and serious human rights violations committed against the Rohingya population in Rakhine state by the Tatmadaw. These include unlawful killings, including through systematic burning of Rohingya houses and buildings, massacre, torture, forced labour, systematic rape and other forms of targeted sexual violence, and enforced labour.

10) Soe Win: As Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Army, had responsibility for the Tatmadaw troops who carried out serious human rights violations against the Rohingya population in Rakhine State in 2017 and 2019 including unlawful killings, torture, forced labour, systematic rape and other forms of targeted sexual violence. Soe Win was also involved in the financing of the Tatmadaw military operations in Rakhine State during which these violations took place, knowing that this financing would contribute to the commission of these violations.

NORTH KOREA

11)  Ministry of State Security Bureau 7: As the entity responsible for running the DPRK's political prison camps, MSS Bureau 7 is involved in the widespread serious human rights violations committed against prisoners in those camps by camp guards and other DPRK officials. These violations include murder, torture and enslavement.

12)  Ministry of People’s Security Correctional Bureau: As the entity responsible for running prison camps in the DPRK, the Ministry of People’s Security Correctional Bureau is involved in the murder, torture and subjection to forced labour of people held in those camps.