The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced on Monday 9 December the agreement of Member States' foreign ministers for the launch of preparatory work on a European sanctions regime regarding serious human rights violations around the world.
“This will give the EU the equivalent of the US Magnitsky Act”, he told the media. According to Mr Borrell, this regime will be a specific action to strengthen the EU's action in the field of human rights.
A diplomatic source pointed out that if Member States agreed on such a regime—which could also cover violations of international humanitarian law—and used it in a good and broad way, the EU would become more effective in combating violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
In addition, on the strength of the Member States' “broad support” for the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, Mr Borrell explained that he would present the proposal for a 5-year action plan “at the beginning of next year”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)