The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have proposed that the sanctions regime against serious human rights abuses and violations should cover a broad spectrum of violations, according to documents obtained by EUROPE on Thursday 22 October.
The proposal was unveiled on 19 October, albeit without the publication of related documents (see EUROPE 12584/15).
According to their proposal for a Council Decision, the sanctions could apply, inter alia, to acts of genocide and crimes against humanity. The proposal for a decision also details the many human rights abuses or violations concerned: torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, slavery, extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and killings, enforced disappearance of persons and arbitrary arrest or detention.
Trafficking in human beings, sexual and gender-based violence, violations or abuses of freedom of peaceful assembly and association, freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of religion or belief could also be included as grounds for sanctions, “to the extent that such violations or abuses are widespread, systematic or otherwise serious”.
Natural or legal persons, entities or bodies, including State actors, actors exercising effective control or authority over a territory and non-State actors could be sanctioned if they are found responsible for violations and abuses, have provided financial, technical or material support to the perpetrators in connection with such acts, or are “otherwise involved in such acts, including by planning, directing, ordering, assisting, preparing, facilitating or encouraging such acts”.
According to the proposal, the sanctions regime will be renewed annually.
This proposal still needs to be agreed in the EU Council. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)