Photo: Collected
In a coordinated move to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United States, Britain, and Canada will impose additional sanctions on dozens of suspected human rights violators worldwide on Friday.
The extensive list of targets includes leaders of gangs decimating Haiti's populace, Taliban figures accountable for rights violations in Afghanistan, and people traffickers engaged in "scam farm" activities in Southeast Asia.
Ahead of December 10, which is observed as International Human Rights Day every year, London announced that it was imposing asset freezes and travel restrictions on 46 people and organizations.
While US for its part targeted 37 people in 13 countries, while Canada imposed sanctions on seven people as part of the joint action.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said, "We will not tolerate criminals and repressive regimes trampling on the fundamental rights and freedoms of ordinary people around the world."
"I am clear that 75 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UK and our allies will continue to relentlessly pursue those who would deny people their freedom," he added.
The historic 30-article declaration, which defines basic freedoms and rights for all people, was approved on December 10, 1948, in the early years of the UN.
Seventeen officials of the Belarusian court, including prosecutors in charge of politically motivated prosecutions against activists, journalists, and human rights advocates, are among the targets listed by the UK.
Five Iranians are facing penalties for implementing the nation's compulsory hijab law, and nine others were singled out for human trafficking in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar to provide labor for virtual "scam farms."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that "with today's actions, the United States is addressing some of the most challenging and harmful forms of human rights abuses in the world, including those involving conflict-related sexual violence, forced labor, and transnational repression."
A prominent Taliban official who took part in the decision to prohibit women and girls from attending schools following the group's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 is one of individuals subject to US sanctions.
Blinken said that in addition to the US sanctions imposed Friday, Washington would recommend UN Security Council designations for four Haitian gang leaders and five armed group chiefs in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Canada for its part included in its list four Russians responsible for LGBTQ rights violations in Chechnya as well as the leader of the junta in Myanmar.
"Our actions to promote respect for human rights are stronger and more durable when done in concert with allies committed to the international rules-based order," Blinken said of the coordinated action with Ottawa and London.
Messenger/Sun Yath
