The United Kingdom on July 6, 2020, designated 49 individuals and organizations under a new human rights sanctions regime established on the same day. The UK’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 target human rights violations “carried out by or on behalf of a State.” This is the first time that the UK has sanctioned people or entities for human rights violations and abuses under a UK-only regime. The first to be designated under the new regime are: 25 Russians “involved in the mistreatment and death of auditor Sergei Magnitsky;” 20 Saudis “involved in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi;" two Myanmar generals “involved in the systematic and brutal violence against the Rohingya people and other ethnic minorities;" and two organizations “involved in the forced labour, torture and murder that takes place in North Korea’s gulags.” The new UK sanctions regime provides the UK with new powers to stop those involved in serious human rights abuses and violations from entering the country, channeling money through UK banks, and profiting from the UK economy. The new measures will target individuals and organizations, rather than nations.
For more information on how these could impact your business, contact:
- Martin Lutz, Partner (mlutz@mcginnislaw.com, 512-495-6024),
- Jamie Joiner, Special Counsel (jjoiner@mcginnislaw.com, 713-615-8530),
- Lindsey Roskopf, Attorney (lroskopf@mcginnislaw.com, 713-615-8534),
- Justin Cawley, Senior Counsel (jcawley@mcginnislaw.com, 202-812-2644), or
- Another member of the McGinnis Lochridge International Trade and Transactions Practice Group