Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 (UK Magnitsky)

Summary

UK's autonomous Magnitsky-style sanctions regime enacted under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. Allows the Foreign Secretary to designate individuals and entities responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses worldwide. Designated persons face UK asset freezes and travel bans.

Relevance to the diaspora

The Tamil diaspora can submit evidence-based designation requests to the FCDO targeting Sri Lankan military commanders and officials responsible for the final stages of the war (2008–2009) and post-war disappearances, without requiring criminal conviction.

Key provisions

• Reg. 4 — designation criteria: serious human rights violations
• Reg. 11 — asset freeze on designated persons
• Reg. 18 — travel ban
• Reg. 32 — offences for breaching sanctions

Primary source

Related entries

• → Criminal Finances Act 2017 / Unexplained Wealth Orders (UK)
• → Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act 2016 (US)
• → EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime 2020 (EU)