Finland: EU’s new sanctions regime promotes human rights as part of EU foreign policy

NordenBladet — Just before the International Human Rights Day, 10 December, the EU ministers for foreign affairs adopted a new sanctions regime that will allow to impose sanctions on individuals, entities and bodies responsible for serious human rights violations. The new regime is global and complements the existing sanctions regimes that are often related to individual countries. It reinforces the effectiveness of EU foreign policy. Finland has supported the EU’s initiative from the outset.

On the basis of the new regime, sanctions may be imposed on individuals and entities that are responsible for acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity, torture or extrajudicial killings. The regime covers both state and non-state actors.

“The adoption of the new regime is a positive development and a welcome addition to the EU’s human rights work. Those guilty of serious human rights violations should always primarily be held criminally liable. However, sanctions can work in a situation where the country in question is, for some reason, reluctant to act,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto after the ministerial meeting. The human rights sanction regime entered into force on 8 December.

EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European UnionEEAS: The EU global human rights sanctions regimeEU adopts a global human rights sanctions regime (Council of the EU, Press release)

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi