The European Union’s 27 nations adopted a European version of the Magnitsky Act on Monday, establishing a global mechanism for human rights protection and imposing sanctions against entities and individuals who violate human rights. Following the passage of the bill, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement of support. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr. Borelli, pointed out that whether the EU will sanction China on the Xing Xing human rights issue will be a major test of the new bill.
The European Council adopted the EU’s version of the Magnitsky Act on July 7, establishing a global human rights sanctions regime. This framework will sanction individuals, entities, institutions and countries that commit serious human rights violations.
The adoption of the global human rights sanctions regime is the first time that the EU has established a sanctions regime, according to a statement issued by the European Council on July 7. Today’s decision underlines that the promotion and protection of human rights remains a cornerstone and a priority in the EU’s external action, while reflecting the EU’s determination to address serious human rights violations and abuses, the statement noted.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said that exactly one year ago, on the eve of last year’s World Human Rights Day, the EU agreed to begin legal proceedings for an EU version of the Magnitsky Act legislation, the first time the EU has established a sanctions regime.
The EU’s global human rights sanctions regime, which was approved on July 7, is modeled on the U.S. The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which was approved at a meeting of the 27 countries’ representatives to the EU earlier this month. Thereafter, the European Council will establish, review, and revise the sanctions list on the recommendation of the member states or the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime will allow for the imposition of sanctions against persons involved in genocide, crimes against humanity, and other serious human rights violations, such as torture, slavery, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests or detention.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo immediately issued a statement welcoming the EU’s adoption of its global human rights sanctions regime. This groundbreaking achievement will further protect human rights around the world in the lead-up to International Human Rights Day. The EU’s new measures provide its member states with a powerful tool to promote accountability for human rights violations around the world. The United States encouraged the EU to adopt the sanctions as soon as possible.
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that the issue involving sanctions against China can only be seen at the EU level. The fact is that we cannot accept a permanent member of the United Nations that refuses to allow the United Nations and NGOs to go to Xinjiang,” Macron said in a live interview with BRUT on April 4, addressing the violence against Uighurs in China, an issue of concern to many netizens. Examine the situation of the Uighurs and seek a solution to the problem.”
Macron said he had already spoken to Chinese President Xi Jinping about the issue. He also made it clear that he would not go to war with China on the issue and that it was his responsibility to discuss it openly with Xi and the Chinese authorities. He also called for an immediate end to concentration camps and violence in China.
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