The EU’s 27 Member Countries Launch European “Magnitsky Act” to Sanction Human Rights Offenders, But Experts Worry Sanctions Against Powerful Countries Could be Difficult

The 27 member states of the European Union (EU) passed the European “Magnitsky Act” today (Dec 7) to set up a global human rights sanctions regime similar to those of the US, the UK and Canada. The act imposes sanctions such as travel restrictions and the freezing of funds on individuals committing serious human rights violations worldwide. After the bill was passed, the Council was to review the situation of Hong Kong under the national security law as well. The Wall Street Journal quoted a foreign affairs official in stating that whether the EU would impose sanctions on China for human rights abuses in Xinjiang would be the major challenge to the new act in the future.

The Council of the EU indicated that the global human rights sanctions regime that was passed this time was the first sanction system to be established by the EU. It targets individuals, entities, institutions and countries to keep them responsible for actions of severe human rights violations and abuses. The measures include travelling limitations, the freezing of funds and restrictions on fund transfers to and from those sanctioned. The Council will formulate, review and revise its sanctions list based on proposals from the 27 member states or the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The global human rights sanction regime targets crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations and abuses, such as torture, slavery, extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests or detentions.

Source: Stand News #Dec07

https://bit.ly/38jYNNm

#EuropeanUnion #EU #MagnitskyAct #Magnitsky #humanrights #humanrightsabuses #UnitedStates #US #UK #Canada #NationalSecurityLaw #HongKong #Xinjiang #China

Australian Bipartisan Inquiry Proposes Human Rights Accountability Law to Prohibit Entry and Confiscate Assets of Human Rights Offenders

A bipartisan parliamentary inquiry in Australia was to suggest the Morrison government to enact a new bill akin to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Once the bill is passed, it will give the government the power to impose visa and asset sanctions on individuals who commit serious human rights violations or corruption.

Sources from the government have confirmed with local media Herald Sun and The Sunday Age that it would set up a new sanction system in the coming new year, but at the same time emphasized that it would first review the new report to be released by the inquiry this week. The report includes a draft legislation developed by Australian human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson for the government’s reference.

The inquiry suggested that an independent oversight committee composed of experts be established with regards to human rights violations. The committee would give the government its recommendations for individuals to sanction, and the foreign minister may decide corresponding sanctions upon considering factors such as national security, trading and diplomatic relations.

#Australia #China #humanrights #sanction #Morrison #GeoffreyRobertson #Robertson #ScottMorrison #HeraldSun #TheSundayAge #Magnitsky #MagnitskyAct #GlobalMagnitskyHumanRightsAccountabilityAct

Source: Stand News #Dec07

https://bit.ly/3awyE0i

#Australia should join its allies like the #UK to play a role as a global #humanrights leader. Show #CCP that money doesn't mean everything, and that human lives cannot be bought with so much cash!
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#China #Uyghurs #Magnitsky #sanction #english #diyms