EU Council Revises Global Human Rights Sanctions Framework

Brussels (Eurotoday) – The European Council extends sanctions against individuals, entities, and groups involved in human rights abuses until December 2025.

The European Council today on 2 Dec 2024 chose to prolong and revise the list of individuals, entities, and groups subject to restrictive measures or sanctions against serious human rights breaches and abuses, for a further year until 8 December 2025.

What is the EU Global Human Rights sanctions regime?

The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, founded on 7 December 2020, allows the EU to hit individuals, entities and bodies – including state and non-state actors – accountable for, involved in or associated with serious human rights breaches and abuses worldwide. On 4 December 2023, the Council extended the framework for restrictive measures under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime for three years, until 8 December 2026. The listings under the regime run out and are examined every 12 months.

According to the EU Council, with the new updates, the restrictive measures currently involve 116 individuals and 33 entities. Those selected are subject to an asset freeze and EU persons and entities are prohibited from making funds, financial assets or economic resources unrestricted to them. In addition, a travel embargo to the EU applies to the natural persons documented.

EU Council states that it is committed to denouncing human rights violations and abuses wherever they happen, making use of all instruments while reasserting that human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated.


Comments

2 responses to “EU Council Revises Global Human Rights Sanctions Framework”

  1. hog butcher Avatar
    hog butcher

    So, the EU’s just extended its sanctions list again—brilliant! Because nothing says “we care about human rights” quite like a travel ban and an asset freeze. 🤷‍♂️ Keep up the good work, lads; I’m sure the tyrants are really sweating it now! 😏

  2. venom petunia Avatar
    venom petunia

    Oh, fantastic! Another round of “who gets the sanctions today?” from our beloved EU Council. 🥳 At this rate, they should just hand out participation trophies for human rights abuses and call it a day.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Climate-resilient agriculture may benefit farmers’ incomes | Press releases

Climate-resilient agriculture may benefit farmers’ incomes | Press releases

Climate-resilient agriculture helps maintain productivity and stabilize farm incomes while ensuring food security and ecosystem protection in Europe. According to an EEA briefing released today, strategic investment and enhanced governance are essential for supporting farms in their transition.
European agricultural production is under significant pressure from climate change, soil degradation, a

Read More

Spain Celebrates as EU Unites Around Sánchez’s Anti-War Stance

Spain Celebrates as EU Unites Around Sánchez’s Anti-War Stance

Following the bombing that ignited the latest Middle East conflict, Madrid firmly opposed the war and criticized the “illegal” action, contrasting with other European capitals’ more ambiguous stances, wary of clashing with U.S. President Trump.
However, in the last two weeks, EU leaders have shifted their positions, with Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, a

Read More

Slovak Ombudsman Challenges 50,000 Faith Requirement

Slovak Ombudsman Challenges 50,000 Faith Requirement

A remark in Vienna could reignite Slovakia’s long-standing religious-freedom dispute.
Slovakia’s ongoing issue regarding state recognition of religion was brought back into focus at the OSCE ODIHR meeting in Vienna. Public Defender of Rights, Róbert Dobrovodský, announced plans to challenge the law requiring religious communities to have 50,000 adult adherents for official registration. Thi

Read More

Starmer Considers Compromise on Migration Reforms Following MP Backlash

Starmer Considers Compromise on Migration Reforms Following MP Backlash

“The big question is if they can politically manage it even if it’s legally feasible,” said a Rayner ally. “A clear, retrospective approach of five to ten years without protections seems to unite many people.”
Opponents hope to persuade the PM to dilute the plans, but if not, they aim for a vote. They haven’t decided on a method yet, but amending a part of the legislation is under discussion

Read More

Europe’s Weekly Soundtrack: Global Giants Hold Firm as Local Scenes Push Back

Europe’s Weekly Soundtrack: Global Giants Hold Firm as Local Scenes Push Back

This week in Europe, listening trends still revolve around global superstars. Streaming information from Spotify’s Global Weekly chart (as of mid-March 2026) and Apple Music’s Europe-specific rankings show stability at the top. Bad Bunny’s post-Super Bowl momentum continues to resound across platforms, with a blend of pop, R&B, and cross-genre collaborations leading Apple Music and Sh

Read More

The EU "Champions the International Rules-Based Order": Interview with European Council President António Costa

The EU "Champions the International Rules-Based Order": Interview with European Council President António Costa

“The European Union is a champion of the international rules-based order,” stated European Council President António Costa in an interview with European news agencies on Monday.
Journalists from various agencies, including Lusa (Portugal), CTK (Czech Republic), EFE, Europa Press (Spain), STA (Slovenia), dpa (Germany), and TT (Sweden), represented a network of over 20 news organizations to pose que

Read More

Orbán urges Starmer to take stronger action against small boats carrying migrants

Orbán urges Starmer to take stronger action against small boats carrying migrants

The British government has faced challenges in tackling the issue of irregular small boat crossings in the English Channel. From 2018 to 2025, approximately 193,000 individuals were recorded making the crossing, with a peak of 46,000 in 2022.
When asked about stopping migration, Orbán shared with the TV channel that the key lies in “determination.”
“If you decide to stop them, st

Read More

EU, Australia to Finalize Trade Talks Early Next Week

EU, Australia to Finalize Trade Talks Early Next Week

Brussels and Canberra have resumed trade negotiations following Donald Trump’s return to the White House last year. Previously stalled at the end of 2023 due to conflicts over beef and lamb quotas, the talks’ revival is part of the EU’s strategy to strengthen ties with the Pacific-centered CPTPP trade bloc via Australia.
In a statement to EU leaders on Monday, von der Leyen mentioned t

Read More

Ireland’s Leader Defends Starmer Against Trump’s Insults in White House Meeting

Ireland’s Leader Defends Starmer Against Trump’s Insults in White House Meeting

Martin commented that Europe continues to be a desirable place to live, which prompted a humorous response from Trump, who replied, “I’m glad to hear that!” Martin elaborated on Europe’s appeal to migrants, highlighting the EU’s “free mobility of people,” which enables Ireland to attract new residents “from Europe and beyond” and boost its rapidly expanding workforce.
He addressed misconceptions a

Read More

‘Glimmer of Hope’ in Haiti Amid Shifting Gang Frontlines

‘Glimmer of Hope’ in Haiti Amid Shifting Gang Frontlines

At least 1.4 million people, primarily in Port-au-Prince, have been displaced by gang violence, leading to what the UN’s Designated Expert on human rights in Haiti, William O’Neill, calls an “unprecedented level of internal displacement.”
Following a 10-day mission to Haiti, O’Neill addressed journalists at the UN Headquarters in New York, stating that the ongoing human rights crisis is causing i

Read More